SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Onondaga County launched the “Keeping it Local” program this week, pledging $500,000 in vouchers and gift cards to participating restaurants.
Diners were able to purchase a gift card for any amount to select restaurants starting Tuesday, and the county would match the gift card with an equal amount in vouchers.
The program was meant to help stimulate the local economy, and help restaurants that were hit by the pandemic.
Angry Garlic, a local restaurant in Baldwinsville, that participated in the initiative, is already seeing success.
“I already saw the boost last night,” owner Jeff Rogers said. “There were three elderly people who came in last night with $100 in vouchers, who didn’t even really know how it worked. They were just excited to be a part of helping local and helping small business.”
Rogers further explained how happy he is with the initiative by the county and local diners.
“The local guests wanted to make sure they’re keeping us all going,” Rogers said. “So it’s pretty wonderful and I think the county saw how wonderful it is.”
Rogers and other restaurant owners do have their concerns surrounding the vouchers however. More specifically the potential for guests to use a voucher more than once at multiple restaurants.
“What’s to say they’re not making copies of them. Or there’s not multiple copies floating around,” Rogers said. “How do we know that if someone comes into our restaurant with a voucher they’re not going to go to the place right down the street from us and use it there too.”
The vouchers are each printed with unique identification codes. The codes themselves are to be reported to Onondaga County. The vouchers are not linked to specific restaurants however.
“My concern was very much the same thing, it’s like what’s going to stop somebody if they just come in with their phone,” Randy Beach, owner of Ale N’ Angus pub said. “And they hold it up and say this is the number.”
These concerns are something that restaurants and the county will have to figure out. The program seems to be a success for now however, as the $500,000 quickly sold out within four hours of becoming available Tuesday.
For a full list of restaurants participating, visit: https://www.ongoved.com/keeping-it-local-restaurants/
