Shop Locally, Save Liberally

Cost-conscious consumers are keeping a tighter hold on their pocketbooks these days. When they loosen the purse strings, community group Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington (RFMBPW) hopes the dollars are spent on Main Street rather than online or at big-box stores. 

The grassroots group dreamed up an incentive program encouraging its members to patronize local retailers; all 2010 RFMBPW members receive a discount card entitling them to markdowns at participating retailers.

The member discount program went into effect in January of this year; currently 34 local retailers participate. More retailers are being added each week.

Port Washington Estates resident Tracy Lynch doesn't have a member discount card yet but she sees the program as a win-win for retailers, residents and the sponsoring civic group. "It's the appeal of getting a discount, the appeal of helping local retailers while supporting an organization that beautifies the town," she said.

Hip tween clothier Bluetique offers 10 percent discount off of all items, Gail's Stride Rite also offers 10 percent off all items except Uggs. Dine at Chinese restaurant Green Leaf and get 10 percent off; Tava offers a five percent discount. 

Some retailers offer discounts on specific days while Dolphin Bookshop, White Plus One, Painting With Flowers and La P'tite Framboise all offer discounts on Tuesdays only.

Susan Micelotta, owner of chic home décor store White Plus One understands that economic times are tough. "I'm not shopping as much these days," she said. 

But Micelotta believes that when people do shop, local business should be their first destination since money spent at local businesses is reinvested in that community. 

"Please support your town like I do," Micelotta said. "I use Nancy Sinoway for tailoring, I get my dogs groomed here, I eat lunch here, I do my banking here and I don't even live here, I live in Glen Head."

Neighboring retailer Gayle Silver, owner of home furnishing emporium Painting With Flowers, is a Port Washington resident and believes a vibrant retail landscape is crucial to the town. "Having retail stores is critical," Silver exclaimed. "If the stores go out of business, it effects real estate."

Silver also argues that Port Washington's stores and restaurants are crucial to the fabric of the community. "We give donations to the schools, the churches, to the synagogues, but unfortunately people still chose to shop on the Internet," she said.

Mindy Germain, Executive Director of RDFMBPW, said that local merchants have been receptive to the discount program. "Merchants have been saying thank you for thinking of us during these trying economic times," Germain said. "Our list of partners keeps growing." 

For a complete list of participating retailers and the specifics of their discounts, visit Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington's Web site.