NBA launches Niwot gift card initiative

In April, the Niwot Business Association had record attendance for its first ever Zoom meeting, due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Amongst the lively discussions, Josh Morin from We Love Trees asked how we could help businesses circulate gift cards. NBA Vice President Deborah Read Fowler suggested a central location in Niwot Market, and owner Bert Steele instantly agreed. There, the idea was born, and Fowler volunteered to lead the project and bring the idea to life.

"This is a wonderful project, as Niwot Market is the heartbeat of Niwot-such a well loved, treasured jewel of our town," Fowler said. "It is the ideal place to centralize the gift cards. Everybody goes there, and so it makes it super easy for residents to support our local businesses in such a critical time. Everyone is busy, and to be able to walk into the market and buy several gift cards in one place, knowing you are supporting the local business, it's shopping you can feel good about."

The project is one of several underway that directly supports NBA members and is in line with the Keep Niwot Strong campaign. As an NBA funded project, this initiative is open to any member willing to participate. For the initial launch, 15 local retail stores and services are offering cards, and Fowler is hoping to see the list grow.

To keep the process simple, all the gift cards are in $25 denominations only. Cards are available now for Begin Fitness, Bella Salt & Sauces, Bootstrap Brewing, Fly Away Home, Inkberry Books, Lefty's Pizza, Niwot Massage, Niwot Jewelry & Gifts, Niwot Tavern, Niwot Wheelworks, Old Oak Coffeehouse, Osmosis Gallery, Pebble Jewelry, Pinocchio's and Wise Buys Antiques.

Shoppers can stop by the display board at Niwot Market and simply tick the boxes and quantities of gift cards on the order form, then bring the form to the cash register to pay for and pick up the cards. Complimentary gift bags are available to customers who decide to buy multiples.

Not only do the gift cards help local merchants, they also make ideal gifts, so if you're shopping for teacher appreciation, graduation, Father's Day, birthdays, thanking frontline workers, or even doing a bit of early holiday shopping, you can stop by Niwot Market and do your part to help Keep Niwot Strong.