By Kate Bartlett
Shopping small has become an important focus, especially in Cattaraugus and Chautauqua County for both economic and community /social benefits. By supporting small businesses, shoppers are keeping money local, increasing tax revenue and driving job growth. We build a stronger community, supporting our neighbors who bring a more personalized service, promoting innovation and uniqueness. We lower our carbon footprint, and make our community more vibrant, resilient and distinct.
Cattaraugus and Chautauqua County have adopted programs to incentivize shopping local. The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce recently announced the Shop the Southern Tier Gift Card Program, making it easy to support member businesses.
The Shop the Southern Tier gift cards are new for the 2025 holiday shopping season, offering shoppers the opportunity to bring more dollars into our local community, while showcasing all that the Southern Tier has to offer. This gift card can be used at participating local businesses throughout the Southern Tier. Gift cards can be purchased online and sent instantly to the recipient by email, or have a physical card mailed. Every purchase helps support locally owned businesses and keeps more dollars circulating right here in our community.
Adam Jester, Marketing & Business Development Consultant for The Greater Olean Chamber of Commerce, is excited to launch this new program in time for the holidays. “For the first time, we’re able to provide folks who may have moved away from the area a method for bringing their dollars back to this community,” says Adam. “The e-Gift card in particular offers a near instant delivery of a thoughtful and local-centric gift, giving even the most professional of procrastinators a last-minute option for any gift giving occasion throughout the year. And for those who prefer a physical plastic gift card, you can’t beat buying one that redeems at over 70 local businesses – a number that continues to grow each week. By making it easier for folks from near and far to give the gift of shopping local, we unlock a new source of commerce for our great merchants in this region – something we’re incredibly excited about.”
Cards purchased online come in any denomination between $20 and $500, while physical card purchases in the gift shop offer fourteen different denominations to choose from in that range. Paper gift certificates options are anticipated to be available sometime in early 2026. The Shop the Southern Tier Gift Cards never expire, and recipients can enjoy spending in any season with no rush.
Chautauqua County is also offering a similar gift card program. ShopLocalCHQ Gift Cards can be used at more than 160 Chamber member businesses in Chautauqua County including restaurants, retailers, grocery stores, specialty stores, and entertainment venues. ShopLocalCHQ Gift Cards do not expire and can be purchased in any denomination up to $500.
Shopping local is a great way to explore Cattaraugus and Chautauqua County. Many shops are easily walkable from one another making it convenient to park once and walk to explore numerous local shops and restaurants nearby. From gift shops, to outdoor enthusiasts to foodies and wine lovers, art aficionados and fashionistas, book lovers, handymen and women, children and sports enthusiasts and everything in between, there’s something for everyone at the shops in Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties.
Supporting local businesses is synonymous with supporting the community. “At our store we try to remind customers that they’re not just investing in our business, but the community as a whole,” says Bob Lingle, owner of Good Neighbor Bookstore in Lakewood. “Independent Bookstores have been on the front line of fighting big box retailers, online shopping, and digital convenience for decades. When money is spent online it does not come back to the community. When you shop locally that money is reinvested through our donations, purchases, taxes, and our own personal investments back into the community.”
Both programs provide the opportunity for shoppers to directly support local businesses in Cattaraugus and Chautauqua County. It’s the gift that gives back to our community.
Shop the Southern Tier Gift Cards in Cattaraugus County can are also sold through the Chamber of Commerce and can be purchased online or by emailing info@onlanny.com or call (716) 372-4433. ShopLocalCHQ Gift Cards are sold through the Chamber of Commerce and can be purchased online or by emailing neckman@chqchamber.org or call (716) 484-1101 x201. For a complete list of merchants, visit chqchamber.org and oleanny.com/giftcardinfo.