Business Aid: Buy a Restaurant Gift Card and Haverhill Chamber Plan Doubles Its Value

Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce President Dougan Sherwood before the Haverhill City Council in 2019. (WHAV News file photograph.)

In an effort to prop up local restaurants and workers affected by shut down orders, the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce will double the value of gift cards residents buy.

Under the plan announced Wednesday, anyone who purchases a gift card to any restaurant in Haverhill, or a restaurant outside of Haverhill that is a Haverhill Chamber member, will receive a dollar-for-dollar match up to $50.

“Our restaurants are facing unprecedented challenges and we have an opportunity at the local level to help them out,” said Haverhill Chamber President Dougan Sherwood in a statement. “For families worried about their wallets, we hope this will offset the cost of enjoying a little takeout for dinner one of these nights—or lots of these nights.”

The program is comprised of three steps. First, citizens purchase a gift card at any restaurant in Haverhill—whether a Chamber member or not—or any restaurant elsewhere that is a Chamber member. Second, buyers must mention the Gift Card Matching. Finally, the Haverhill Chamber instantly matches the amount up to $50. As the Chamber explains, “You get double the amount you were planning on buying and the restaurant gets double the revenue…How awesome is that?” There is a limit of one per household.

To pay for the match, the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce has contributed the first $2,500 to the fund and asking others to donate at GoFundMe.com in an attempt to raise $10,000. As of last night, the Chamber was half way to its goal.

To help, Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini said the city is installing free 10-15 minute take out parking spaces for restaurant customers. The city has also stopped enforcement of the odd/even winter parking rules until further notice.

A list of Chamber-member restaurants and bars is here.

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