It's almost like being paid to deal with construction downtown and in the Old East Village (OEV).
The city has brought back its Core Area Construction Dollars program which gives shoppers and restaurant goers added incentive to head to the two areas of the city during the busy construction season. This is the third straight year the city has offered the coupons in the amount of $5, $10, and $20.
The construction dollars, awarded through customer giveaways, contests, events, and promotions, can be spent at participating businesses until November 30. Businesses offering and accepting construction dollars can be identified by orange construction dollars signs in their window. A full list of participating businesses can be seen on the Downtown London and Old East Village websites.
“This is a record year for construction, with a major focus on downtown, where we’re building better connections to and through the core with the Downtown Loop and East London Link projects,” Jennie Dann, the city's director of construction and infrastructure services, said in a statement. “While we work to revitalize the core through these key projects, construction dollars will help to support local businesses.”
Merchants accepting the promotional cash as payment will be reimbursed 100 per cent of the value of each dollar spent at their business.
The initiative 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 due to the pandemic. Last year, it returned as a way to help mitigate some of the impacts of construction on businesses in the downtown and OEV.
“During the construction season, our downtown businesses remain open” said Downtown London Executive Director Barbara Maly. “London’s downtown has several new businesses and restaurants, many old favorites, great patios and fantastic events and entertainment options and construction dollars are an added bonus to help customers and visitors explore our unique offerings.”
The OEV BIA plans on distributing more than $20,000 worth of construction dollars through upcoming cash mobs and Friday night events.
"OEV customers are eager to receive this ‘mad money’ in order to enjoy an extra special outing in OEV while supporting hyper local," said OEV BIA Manager Jen Pastorius. "Each year the demand for the program grows."