MUSCATINE, Iowa–Though the season for great outdoor events like the Food Truck Fight and Pearl City Vintage Market may have passed, the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry still has several ways to encourage people to shop local and support Muscatine County Businesses. Ahead of the holiday season, they rolled out their new #MAKE IT MUSCATINE gift cards to give people a new gift giving option. Through Nov. 12, they will host their first ever Taste of Muscatine, inviting everyone to enjoy some great cuisine and possibly win some fun prizes.
For years, the Chamber sold Chamber Bucks to allow people to give the gift of shopping local to everyone on their gift lists. However, the system proved cumbersome to manage, as the Chamber had to write numerous checks each year to fulfill all the orders they received each year. To simplify the process, they partnered with TapOnIt!, a company that helped the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce roll out their Keep it QC gift cards, to begin offering #MAKEIT MUSCATINE Mastercard Gift Cards. The gift cards work just like gift cards available to big box stores and chain restaurants. However, a single #MAKEIT MUSCATINE gift card works at 150 businesses of all kinds from unique stores and restaurants in downtown to national franchises, which the Chamber conveniently lists on their website. So far, the community has received the gift cards well, with President and CEO Erik Reader reporting sales of 250 cards already. “It has been a terrific rollout,” he enthused.
Anyone looking to purchase an easy holiday gift can stop by the Chamber’s office at 100 West Second Street, Muscatine to purchase cards in $25 and $50 denominations. Those looking for more options, or to put a custom message on their card, can purchase them online. Businesses interested in purchasing 50 or more gift cards to use as employee gifts, client appreciation items, or prizes should call Director of Business Services and Advocacy Hannah Howard at 563-263-8895 to receive a bulk discount.
With the weather turning colder, few things sound quite as appealing as a hot fresh meal. To encourage people to reconnect with some of their favorite local restaurants or to find a new favorite, the Chamber will host its first ever Taste of Muscatine this year. To participate, diners simply need to make a purchase from at least two out of eight participating restaurants (Butcher’s Vegetables, Contrary Brewery, Maxwell’s on the River, PR%F Social, Skinny’s Barbeque, the Muscatine Waffle & Pancake House, a Guy and a Grill, and the Black Pearl Café) and to send a photo of their receipt to the Chamber by email or Facebook message. Each receipt sent in will earn diners an entry into a drawing for a gift card from one of the eight restaurants. Any receipts with one of the signature items listed on the Chamber’s website will get an extra entry. The Chamber encourages people to visit their website to confirm the deadline for submitting their receipts as well.
