Duane Hicks
“Going Local” paid off in a big way for Don Larson.
Larson was the winner of 5,000 “Go Local” points after having his card swiped at Leon’s on Saturday while purchasing a new couch and loveseat there.
His purchase helped “Go Local” reach its one millionth point.
For earning that milestone point, he won 5,000 points (or $400 worth of gift cards) to spend at “Go Local” merchants.
Larson, who was presented with his gift cards yesterday at Leon’s, said he feels the program helps keep local people employed.
“We live here so it’s very important,” he remarked.
Larson said he and his family use their “Go Local” card as much as they can, noting they can’t always use it for every transaction but most certainly do for the big-ticket items.
Larson admitted he didn’t believe it when he learned he earned the millionth point.
“I thought my wife (Shirley) was just teasing me. She texted me at work,” he chuckled.
“We don’t usually win.”
The “Go Local” program celebrated its second year last month, it was hoped the millionth point would be reached close to that point.
“I don’t think it was ever expected when the program was started that we’ll aim for a half-million a year and then in two years, we’d reach a million,” admitted “Go Local” intern Jamie Petrin.
“But it did work out very closely.
“I knew about three months ago that it was probably going to happen, based on the numbers from month to month,” Petrin added, noting she expected someone would hit the millionth-point mark near the birthday celebration.
“It was nice for the program because it becomes very clear then to us what we can expect for next year—aim for another half-million points,” she remarked.
“Go Local” is going fairly strong at 35 member businesses from Fort Frances, Emo, and Barwick, with the two newest ones being Degagne Equipment and Emo Drugs.
There are about 4,200 loyalty members in Rainy River District.
Altogether, the program has issued $54,000 in $25 gift cards to members who earned at least 300 points at local merchants.
These gift card dollars ultimately go back into member businesses.
Those who haven’t gotten their “Go Local” card yet are encouraged to do so at member businesses.
Just look for the “Go Local” sign in the window.
Also be sure to register your card.
Petrin noted some people have picked up cards and have been using them, but actually haven’t registered them—perhaps having forgotten to do so.
“You could have 10 cards in your wallet and accumulate 500 points, but we won’t know about them to give you a gift card if you haven’t registered with us,” she stressed.
Registering your card assigns the card number to your name, Petrin explained.
Cards can be registered by filling out a registration form at any “Go Local” business, calling 274-9621, going to golocalfortfrances.com/rewards-card
Learn more about “Go Local” by liking it on Facebook, following it on Twitter, or signing up for its newsletters at www.golocalfortfrances.com
