Local Gifting and Shopping Made Easy

By Julie Larison, Senior Director of Membership Services, GRCA

The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) recently launched a new way for Berks County to shop Local and support our small business community.

Go Buy Berks is a community gift card program designed to support local stores and service providers and keep them topof-mind when buying gift cards for friends, relatives or colleagues. Available as a plastic card shipped to the purchaser or as an e-card downloaded to a computer or phone, the Go Buy Berks community gift card can be used at any Berks County business that accepts MasterCard.

The idea for a community-based gift card originated from Berks County Commissioner Michael Rivera, who saw a need to further support small, local businesses.

“The Go Buy Berks gift card will provide a gift card option for merchants that do not have the ability to provide a store-branded card of their own. This new program will drive dollars to many local small businesses that would otherwise miss out on the gift card option,” Rivera said.

This all-in-one gift card program is designed to keep your money local and support Berks County businesses. Rather than choosing a generic card off the rack, the public can purchase the Go Buy Berks card in any amount over $10. Bulk purchases are also available for employers looking to incentivize or gift their employees. This community gift card program allows employers the ability to support the local business community while also gifting their employees. The card also allows the giftee the flexibility of deciding where to use the card and the ability to support multiple businesses.

Participating businesses are listed on the Go Buy Berks shopping map and directory on the gift card webpage at giverrang.com/ gift-card/greater-reading-pa/. Berks County businesses that accept MasterCard are welcome to participate at no cost. The plastic card is processed as a normal gift card and the e-card is presented to the merchant as a certificate voucher that is printed or downloaded on a phone. The only fee a merchant incurs is the MasterCard processing fee through their point-of-sale (POS) system.

“Our goal in launching this program is simple – to provide an easy option for the community to use local businesses first and enjoy the wonderful shopping, dining and services they provide,” said Julie Larison, Senior Director of Membership Services, GRCA.

GRCA welcomes the participation of main street associations and other community groups in Berks County that want to list businesses in the directory. Non-member businesses who would like to be listed in the Go Buy Berks community gift card program directory may contact Larison at JLarison@greaterreading.org or 610-898.7785. Having your business listed in the directory is the easiest way to let consumers know that you are accepting the Go Buy Berks gift card.

The next time you need a gift, support local businesses, and purchase a Go Buy Berks gift card!