SACRAMENTO, California — For the third time, the city of Sacramento has launched a program that will give shoppers a gift card if they buy a certain one from a participating local business. It's called 'Shop 916.'
For one business, this program may be their lifeline after suffering from multiple break-ins this year.
"At the beginning of this month, somebody decided to come do some late night shopping about 5:30 in the morning," said Frederick Adams, co-owner of Universal Clothing Boutique.
As the co-owner, Adams said this is becoming the norm for his business. ABC10 visited his store back in May following one of the several break-ins this year. Adams said he's suffered a total loss of more than $10,000.
The financial loss has taken its toll on his store. Adams had to shut down a portion of his business two months ago, and now, he said he's very unsure about the future of his business.
"We're trying to do everything we can to stay here, but I'm not for sure. I don't know how much longer I could take it," said Adams.
Adams is hoping the city's 'Shop 916' program will help his business, especially during this Thanksgiving weekend.
"If you buy $100 gift card, you get a free $50 gift card. If you buy a $50 gift card, you get a free $25 (card). And if you buy a $25 (card), you get a free $10 gift card," said Valerie Mamone, project development manager for the City of Sacramento.
More than one hundred businesses are participating in this program, including Universal Clothing Boutique. This is the third year the city is providing this program through the American Rescue Plan, but according to the city, there's no guarantee it'll be back next year.
"It will sunset at the end, I believe, of next year. Whether our dollars run out before then, that's yet to be seen," said Mamone.
Adams is hoping this isn't the last year.
"It'll be a big loss for me and everybody else around here that partnered with the program. We're going to take a loss because it wouldn't be too many incentives for people to come shop," he said.
While he understands everyone in the community is struggling with the rising costs of living, he encourages everyone to support their favorite local business in anyway possible this holiday season.
"Everybody don't have a lot of money to spend, but you could at least come spend $5, $10, $20. It don't matter, anything helps," he said.
This program started Nov. 15 and will end Feb. 15, 2024.
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