By Lauri Lee
Northside Economic Development Coalition

A new coalition consumer loyalty program where points can be earned by customers for shopping at local merchants has just been launched. Dane Buy Local Rewards, powered by Lextra, is adding new businesses each week so that when customers accumulate enough points for meaningful rewards, they can be redeemed at any participating local business. Check danebuylocal.com to view the growing list or check for the Dane Buy Local Rewards sign at your favorite business. 

The rewards app is simple for customers to download on any smartphone or tablet by using the link provided by your favorite local business. Points are accumulated via your telephone number so that whether you shop at just one or two businesses — or a hundred -— each year, the points will be there waiting for you to redeem at the participating merchant of your choice. You won’t need a stack of reward cards in your wallet or hanging from your key chain. The app is at your fingertips in order to search for local participating businesses along with their special offers, maps, directions and contact information. 

Dane Buy Local, located at 2801 International Lane, is always looking for ways to level the playing field for locally owned businesses in order to compete against the giants — aka big box stores and Amazon. There’s power in small businesses working together across the Northside, Greater Madison, Dane County and contiguous counties to offer consumers more reasons than ever to support local businesses. The Dane Buy Local Rewards app is the ultimate buy-local tool that has been adopted by the Northside Planning Council and local chambers of commerce. Why?  Because a buy-local culture is known to translate into meaningful jobs for friends and neighbors, business ownership opportunities for minorities and women, and the recirculation of 47% of every dollar back into the local economy compared to 1% for Amazon sales. 

Now, more than ever, we all win when we think and buy local first.