Peterborough DBIA Brings Back Holiday Shopping Passport For Downtown Shopping Rewards

The Downtown Business Improvement Area’s (DBIA) shopping rewards are back, launching the Holiday Shopping Passport with a grand prize of a $1,500 Boro gift card, effective immediately.

Last year’s program saw shoppers stamp more than $2.3 million worth of Holiday Shopping Passports. Every $100 that you spend locally, up to $48 stays in our community, compared to just $14 when you shop at big box stores according to the DBIA. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

The Passports are available at over 140 participating shops, boutiques, salons, restaurants and cafes in downtown Peterborough. A passport stamp is earned for every $10 spent at participating locations. Free stamps are available at the Peterborough Public Library, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Visitors Centre and the DBIA office.

Early Bird prizes of $500 Boro gift card are available with the draw dates on Dec. 6, 13 and 20. The final grand prize draw is on Jan. 10 with a $1,500 Boro gift card shopping spree grand prize.

New this year, the DBIA is hosting a Holiday Boro Card Bonanza where 12 shoppers will be gifted a $25 Boro gift card just for shopping downtown. The DBIA will randomly draw 12 downtown shop locations to host weekly Boro card giveaways this week.

“DBIA is hyper-focused on incentivizing downtown shopping this holiday season. We understand that supporting local requires intention and effort, and this year we are finding new and delightful ways to attract and retain holiday shoppers,” said Hillary Flood, DBIA vibrancy manager. “Holiday shopping in The Boro offers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience filled with historic charm and hospitality that you just can’t replicate on Amazon. Now more than ever we need to shop with intent, because when you shop locally your money directly supports our community rather than a big corporation.”

Shop owners are challenged to design a store window in honour of the Aurora Borealis for a chance to win Top Window of the season during this year’s annual Holiday Window Contest.

Downtown patrons can vote online for their favourite storefronts from Nov. 20 to Dec. 31.

The City of Peterborough is providing free two-hour parking downtown beginning on Nov. 24 to encourage downtown holiday shopping until the end of December (courtesy of Wolfe Lawyers).

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First DBIA Holiday Shopping Passport Early Bird Winner Announced

Heather Adey has become the first winner for the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area’s (DBIA) Holiday Shopping Passport early bird draw announced on Monday.

Heather Adey (left) and Jean Grant, The Toy Shop owner (right). Adey’s passport came from The Toy Shop while purchasing games and ice bubbles for her young daughters. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

Adey’s winning passport came from The Toy Shop, where she purchased board games and ice bubbles for her two daughters. Her entry was drawn on Wednesday at The Neighbourhood Vintage. Adey won a $500 Boro gift card prize that was presented by Jean Grant, The Toy Shop owner.

“I just love coming to the Toy Shop” said Adey. “It’s our go-to place when shopping for the little ones in my life. Jean always has the best suggestions for what to put under our tree. I can’t wait to use my gift card and explore all the new restaurants and shops downtown. We love supporting small businesses, they are just so unique and offer a personal touch that really makes the shopping experience something truly special.”

Passport winners get a Musicfest Diner’s Book atop their winnings as a new feature in this yea’rs draw. The book contains coupons valued at $600 in savings, with 100 per cent of proceeds going towards musician fees for the summer festival.

“Peterborough Musicfest is excited to partner with the Downtown Business Improvement Area by complementing its Holiday Shopping Passport giveaway package with our Musicfest Diner's Book,” says Musicfest board chair, Paul Rellinger. “It’s a perfect fit as many of the restaurants and eateries featured in this year’s Diner's Book are located in downtown Peterborough. Musicfest remains grateful for the support it has received from the downtown restaurant community and, now, from this partnership with the DBIA."

Holiday Passports can be picked up at any one of 150 participating businesses in downtown Peterborough. Each $10 spent earns a stamp and every filled card — of $200 spent — earns a ballot for a grand prize of a $1,500 Boro Gift Card drawn on Jan. 11. Multiple ballots are accepted and be dropped off at any ballot box in a participating business.

Two Early Bird draws remain on Wednesday and Dec. 21.

Free stamps are available at the Peterborough Public Library, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Visitors Centre.

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Holiday Shopping Passports are Back to Support Local Christmas Shopping

Holiday Shopping Passports are back in Peterborough and are available at 150 participating shops, boutiques, salons, restaurants, and cafes in downtown Peterborough.

Jennie Moore won the Holiday Shopping Passport early bird draw in 2020. Photo courtesy of The Boro.

Shoppers will earn a passport stamp for every $10 you spent locally in downtown Peterborough. Each completed Holiday Shopping Passport increases the chance to win up to $1,500 in Boro gift cards.

The Holiday Shopping Passport program rewards people for shopping, dining, and enjoying downtown. Last year’s program saw shoppers stamp more than $2.5 million worth of Holiday Shopping Passports.

For every $100 spent locally, up to $48 stays in the community, compared to just $14 when shopping at big box stores.

“Every year our Holiday Shopping Passport program brings an excitable shopping buzz into our downtown core,” said Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the DBIA. “In order to combat online and big box shopping trends we have to support programming that celebrates the physical shopping experience. We are so excited to have the Holiday Shopping Passports back and love rewarding our shoppers during the holiday season.”

Shoppers are welcome to collect free stamps at the Peterborough Public Library, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Visitors Centre and The Boro Holiday Hub.

This years’ Passport will be sporting a new holiday graphic, and smaller purse-friendly design. Shoppers are encouraged to shop early to increase their chances of winning in one of the three early bird prizes for a $500 Boro gift card. Early bird draw dates will take place on December 1, 8, & 15.

The final grand prize draw will take place after the holiday season on January 8 where one lucky passport holder will win a $1,500 Boro card shopping spree.

The City of Peterborough will be providing free 2-hour parking in the downtown beginning Black Friday (Nov. 26) until the end of December courtesy of Wolfe Lawyers.

For more information on this year’s Holiday Shopping Passport program visit www.theboro.ca

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