Downtown Carleton Place launches new Gift Card

Downtown Carletn Place Business Improvement Area (BIA) has launched a new Gift Card to support local businesses and help the community to thrive.

The new Downtown Carleton Place BIA Gift Card replaces the BIA Bucks paper program which operated in the area until 2023. Card funds can be spent at multiple participating businesses downtown, including stores, restaurants and services.

Paisley Woods, BIA Coordinator at Downtown Carleton Place BIA, said the new Gift Card offers enhanced inclusivity, flexibility and a ‘feel-good’ factor.

“Nestled near the Mississippi River, Downtown Carleton Place is a wonderful shopping district with an incredible selection of restaurants, boutiques, and stores, a hotel and many other businesses. Closely connected to Ottawa, we recently completed a major renovation, so what better time to launch our new Gift Card to showcase the new experience that downtown offers? An upgrade from our previous paper BIA Bucks, the new Gift Card is something people can enjoy using, and they can feel good too knowing they’re supporting local businesses.

“This is a Gift Card that people can buy as gifts, and that organizations can buy as employee rewards and incentives. It offers flexibility and convenience; the recipient can really create a unique experience with this card. As it’s a more modern Gift Card too, we’re excited that a wide variety of downtown businesses can accept it, spreading out the benefit and keeping Downtown healthy and thriving.”

A business which accepts the new Gift Card is Foundry Collective & Coffee Bar. Owner Kaitey Cosgrove said:

“Foundry is a coffee shop but it’s also a co-working and meeting space, a hub for spontaneous community connections, to meet a friend, work and collaborate with others. I’m excited about the launch of the Downtown Carleton Place BIA Gift Card because it gives the recipient the joy of exploration. Downtown has something for everyone, and the Gift Card has something for everyone. Not only will the Gift Card keep dollars local, it will drive tourism too. We’re just 30 minutes from Ottawa, and with a Gift Card in their hand, people will be encouraged to visit us.

“We have amazing businesses in town, from craft breweries to great restaurants and kids boutiques, and it is our businesses that give the town its unique identity. For small businesses, every penny counts, and by supporting them through initiatives like the Gift Card, you’re supporting families and keeping unique businesses open.”

Another participating business is Black Tartan Kitchen. Chef and owner Ian Carswell commented:

“Black Tartan Kitchen is a casual fine dining restaurant, offering tasting menus that celebrate the current season, composed of the best products Lanark County has to offer. By being a part of the Downtown Carleton Place BIA Gift Card program, we hope to encourage more people to visit our downtown and experience our eclectic shops and eateries. There are some pretty incredible, unique shops downtown and we all hope this program can encourage local shopping and dining and introduce folks to our beautiful main street.

“We feel this program will help draw in new customers from in town and out, and highlight shopping in our local community. Keeping spending in our community is a fantastic way to help all the lovely businesses on our beautiful main street thrive!”

The technology for the Downtown Carleton Place BIA Gift Card is provided by fintech Miconex in association with international payments technology solutions provider EML Payments. Miconex operates its Downtown Gift Card concept across Canada.

The Downtown Carleton Place BIA Gift Card is issued by Peoples Trust Company, part of Peoples Group. Card funds are not insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) or any other government deposit insurer or agency. Funds do not expire, are non-reloadable and have no cash access. For Cardholder Agreement or Customer Service: www.getmybalance.com or 1-833-558-1108.