I’m a small business owner in Vermont and am so glad I was able to sign up and see results so quickly! Not only did we receive nearly 20 customers in the first couple of hours that the gift cards were made available, but they are also all new customers who may not ever have found us otherwise.

StephenGypsy Coast Company, Danville, Vermont

As a business in the hospitality industry that has been hit hard by Covid-19, we are so appreciative of this program.  We consider every new customer who finds us because we were part of the program to be a tremendous opportunity for us to expand our customer base.  As we look at the list of people who have selected us, we see a LOT of new names.  This is great for us as we recreate ourselves and respond to the side effects of the pandemic.  Thank you very much for this program!

LaurenNorth Brand Café, Montpelier, Vermont

I would like to point out that this program is a bigger win for us than just the immediate orders. Customers are using the $30 coupon to order a minimum of $30 worth of products, so the potential for sales will exceed the 16 orders of $30 each! (We are giving free shipping with each order.) We’re also getting invaluable local exposure to new customers. It expanded our customer email list for potential future sales. It offers the potential for media/social media exposure and promotion. And it allowed us to get our products in customers hands which is how we get most of our sales. This should prove to have long term positive impacts on many, many Vermont businesses. Personally, the  best benefit of this program is the feeling that Vermont supports Vermonters. That positive unity is sorely lacking at the national level and is unbelievably appreciated in our current situation. We’re ALL in this together. #ShopLocal #VermontStrong

Amy Lems Vermont Organic Solutions, Norwich, Vermont

We are an intimate performance venue and have operated for 12 years in Brandon, Vermont.  Our business had to close on March 6^th, 2020 to comply with COVID-19 regulations and also our deep desire to keep everyone in our community and the State safe. I was speechless with gratitude when contacted to say that we would benefit from the program.  We can’t thank you enough.  It is a very difficult time for those of us involved in Vermont’s creative economy.

Edna Brandon Music and the Compass Music and Art Center, Brandon, Vermont

We were very pleased to receive a sale from a Vermont neighbor from Underhill. She is planning to spend their honeymoon with us for at least three nights at the end of December. The $150 stimulus money that this guest received from this program will translate directly to our lodging business as an approximately $600 sale for those three nights. Additionally, these newlyweds will of course be dining, shopping and most likely taking advantage of attractions while here in Stowe that will then be a net add onto that direct spending.  We appreciate the opportunity to be included in this program and I hope our state legislators can appreciate the immediate, positive, economic impact of this program has had on a small, family owned, operated business such as ours.

George LewisBrass Lantern Inn, Stowe, Vermont

I am the sole proprietor of my weaving business. Every single one of my crafts shows, weaving conferences and teaching gigs (throughout the country) has been canceled due to Covid, creating a year of zero income (possibly continuing into next spring as well).  Unemployment has absolutely helped but the Buy Local Vermont program has unexpectedly put the joy back into my weaving life (yeah, does sound corny but it’s true!). Having 20 people suddenly express interest in my Ruby Charuby Weavings craft business has boosted my hopes that perhaps there is financial light in the tunnel and I can continue to find new, local and potentially loyal customers.

Ruby Leslie Ruby Charuby Weavings, Hardwick, Vermont