There is once again an added incentive for shoppers to venture downtown and into Old East Village (OEV).
The City of London has brought back its Core Area Construction Dollars program for a second straight year. Through the initiative, coupons in the amount of $5, $10, and $20 will be handed out to Londoners visiting shops and restaurants in the two areas. The construction dollars will be awarded through customer giveaways, contests, and promotions throughout the rest of the year and can be spent at participating businesses.
Construction Dollars that can be spent in downtown or Old East Village. Photo courtesy of the City of London.
"This program is designed to thank customers for supporting businesses in the downtown and Old East Village, and help mitigate some of the impacts of construction,” Jeff Shaughnessy, the city's manager of downtown projects and business relations, said in a statement. “This year’s Construction Dollars began to be distributed by the core area BIAs earlier this spring as construction projects started, and customers now have new opportunities to win and spend them as more businesses are beginning to reopen.”
The construction dollars program was first launched in the summer of 2020 to provide a needed boost to local businesses forced to close their doors or scale back operations for several months due to the pandemic.
"Every Construction Dollar spent goes directly towards supporting an entrepreneur, their staff, and their families,” said Jen Pastorius, manager at the Old East Village BIA. “Old East Village businesses are planning promotions and contests using Construction Dollars in the coming months, so follow #DIGOEV on social media to stay up to date.”
Businesses offering and accepting construction dollars can be identified by orange construction dollars signs in their window. A full list of participating businesses has also been posted on the Downtown London and Old East Village websites.
The four-year pilot program, funded through the city’s core area action plan, is expected to contribute nearly $100,000 into the local economy each year by providing added incentive to spend in the downtown and OEV.
