Friend of the Chamber Discount Cards Available

The Friend of the Chamber Merchant card has been around for nearly five years and more than 40 participating merchants in and around Garden City offer discounts to card holders.

The card is an initiative by the Garden City Chamber of Commerce and the Merchants, Professionals & Retailers group to encourage shopping locally.

According to John Wilton, chair of the Merchants, Professionals & Retailers group, said 6,000 cards and brochures are available for distribution; 800-900 were distributed to the Garden City school district, 200-300 to Adelphi University, 200 to Lord & Taylor and 350 cards have been set aside for village employees. 

Residents can pick up their card, which is now offered for free, at Grimaldi's, Garden City Properties and/or the chamber toll lodge on Seventh Street.

"Althea [Robinson], Rus Ciolli and others have been germain in getting this going forward," Wilton said."These cards are specifically meant to generate revenue in the village."

In January 2007, the card was valid for two years - through Dec. 31, 2009 - at a cost of $20. In January 2010 a new card was issued for one year at $10, according to Robinson, chamber executive director.

Robinson explained that at some point after the Merchants, Professionals & Retailers Group was formed, the decision was made to distribute the cards free of charge.

Card holders can enjoy discounts in numerous businesses downtown, including but not limited to:

• AAA New York, 1415 Kellum Place - $10 off defensive driving class.
• Storage Quarters, 999 Stewart Avenue - document scanning: free sample; record storage and destruction 10 percent off all services.
• Armao, Costa & Ricciardi, CPAs, 1055 Franklin Avenue Suite 204 - 10 percent off personal tax preparation services.
• Sunflower Fine Art & Framing, 172 Seventh Street - free delivery and hanging with purchase of $100 value.
• Lord & Taylor, 1200 Franklin Avenue - to receive a discount pass for 15 percent off regular and sale items throughout the store, see a personal shopper at the Garden City location only.
• Le Joaillier Fine Jewelry, 747 Franklin Avenue - 20 percent off in-stock merchandise.
• UPS Store, 734 Franklin Avenue – 10 percent off all products and services, excluding shipping.
• Grimaldi's, 980 Franklin Avenue – 10 percent off, dine-in only, cash only for parties up to 10.
• Calageros, 919 Franklin Avenue – 10 percent off lunch check, Monday-Thursday, dine-in only, and for parties up to 10 people.
• Key Food, 153 Seventh Street – 5 percent off orders of $25 or more.
• Coach Realtors, 116 Seventh Street – Free title search on your home.
• Neptune Camera, 130 Seventh Street - 10 percent off photo processing, frames and accessories.
• FOS Living Eco Salon, Spa and Store, 13 Nassau Boulevard, GC South - 10 percent off $50 organic in-store or home beauty service.
• Lutz Landscaping, 236 Dorchester Road, GC South - 5 percent off landscape design (minimum $500 purchase) - not combinable with any other offers or maintenance.
• Kings, 888 Franklin Avenue - 10 percent off all catering orders over $200 - not combined with any other offer.
• Feldis Florist, 160 Franklin Avenue – 10 percent off any purchase over $40 – not combinable with any other offers; does not apply to previous purchases.
• Garden City Hotel, 45 Seventh Street – 20 percent discount at Rein restaurant. Special Friends of the Chamber Room Rate, $199 - room rate does not apply on New Year's Eve or certain black-out dates.
• Town Meat Market, 156 Seventh Street – 10 percent off; maximum $20 off.

For a complete list of participating businesses, click here. Cards are valid through Dec. 31, 2012.

www.patch.com is a card sponsor.