Seven businesses along Bronson Avenue have banded together to offer a so-called “Bronson Food Passport” in an effort to attract customers while construction continues to dampen sales.
The promotion allows patrons to collect stamps on their “passport” with each visit to a member location. After totaling five stamps, customers can enter into a draw to win one of seven prizes awarded by the businesses.
Food passports can be picked up at any participating eatery and can be used throughout November.
Apartment 613 came up with the idea as a part of their Support Local campaign.
Business was particularly slow at Pressed Café on Gladstone Avenue during the summer, says owner Jeff Stewart, when the intersection at Bronson and Gladstone avenues was under construction.
So far the passport hasn’t generated a huge increase in sales at Pressed, he says, but customers are asking about it and collecting stamps.
Stewart says he thinks it will make people more aware of the neighbourhood and inspire them to try some of the passport-affiliated eateries they’ve never visited.
“I think it will help define the area as an up-and-coming sort of indie-cool eating, drinking, hanging out kind of neighbourhood,” he says.
Auntie-Loo’s Treats, Hang 10, Jak’s Kitchen, Raw Sugar Café, Red Apron, and Shanghai are also using Bronson Food Passports.