As most people are aware, shopping on the mountain helps the local economy by keeping those dollars in the community. Some mountain businesses have taken that a bit further by offering rewards programs that give back to customers for their loyalty.
Since instituting its rewards program in October 2013, Mountain Top Toys has given $20,000 in loyalty rewards to customers through its rewards program, according to store owner and Mountain Business Association President Patrick Holland.
"That's money that goes right back into our local economy by staying in our customers' pockets," he said.
For every dollar spent at Mountain Top, customers receive a loyalty point. Once a customer has collected 100 points, they can be redeemed for a $10 discount to apply toward purchases on the customer's next visit.
Last week, the store recognized its 2,000th and 2,001st reward recipients with 100 loyalty points each, Holland said.
He said when the store reaches the goal of rewarding its 3,000th customer, he plans to award him or her 150 points.
"We're getting to these numbers faster," said Holland, adding that the program really picked up in the past year as more people became aware of it. "So many people are opting into this thing, it's incredible. In the last 12 months we've given away over $10,000, and those numbers will only grow going forward."
Customers also have the option to forgo the discount and instead choose to donate that $10 to a local nonprofit, such as Signal Mountain Social Services, St. Timothy's Episcopal Preschool or Children's Hospital at Erlanger. Holland said that since the children's hospital likes to receive toy donations, customers can choose to redeem their points for either toys or funds for donation to the hospital.
Since Holland began offering customers the option to donate their rewards, he said, the store has given more than $100 to Children's Hospital, as well as another $100 combined to SMSS and STEPS.
He said other nonprofits are welcome to be added to the list of organizations customers can donate to, which is as easy as entering a phone number.
Last year,Threads owner Mindy Sanders started using the same rewards program, said Holland, keeping even more money in the community. Sanders was unavailable for comment.
Mountain Top Toys is at 1231 Taft Highway and can be reached at 886-6943. Threads is at 1207 Taft Highway and can be reached at 886-4004.