[Sooke offers a similar service at BetterBuySooke.ca. In addition to this Sooke-centric service, Sooke businesses are welcome to participate in this Greater Victoria platform. Following is the release from TLF -spn]

The economic slowdown resulting from the COVD-19 pandemic’s requirements for social distancing and self-isolation, is being felt throughout the region. Many businesses in Greater Victoria have either revamped their level of service, pivoted their business model, or closed their brick and mortar locations.

Think Local First has created an initiative to support local, independent businesses in Greater Victoria who have temporarily closed their doors. The website SupportLocalYYJ (SupportLocalYYJ.com), which launched on Wednesday, sells gift cards for future use on behalf of those businesses. Think Local First member businesses who wanted to participate were initially added to the website but TLF has opened participation to any local, independent business in the region.

This initiative is a collaboration between TLF and Vancity and provides for businesses to receive the full value of the gift cards purchased without the expense of payment processing costs. The aim is to provide an injection into their current cash flow. The intent is that gift card buyers will wait to use the cards two months after the pandemic has passed and businesses have re-opened their locations.

“We don’t want to have businesses open their doors and be flooded with purchases by gift cards which would only create another cash flow issue,” stated Steve Pearce, TLF Board of Director, President. “Gift card buyers could consider it as very early holiday shopping or purchase the cards as gifts for special occasions in the future.”

Related

• COVID-19 wreaks havoc on local economy, Sooke Chamber rallies community