Bloomingdale launches local stimulus plan

Launching their own economic stimulus plan, Bloomingdale business owners are now offering an initiative they hope will boost their profits and save residents some cash.

Through Feb. 22, Bloomingdale residents can shop with the "B-Card" and receive discounts at more than 90 businesses in the village. This is the second year Bloomingdale has offered this incentive, which was launched in March 2008 to celebrate the village's 175th anniversary.

But this year, officials say, the card, which is free, might prove more valuable due to the strained economy.

"This year, I'm thinking people will be anxious to save money more than before," said Mary Ellen Johnson, editor of Bloomingdale's "Village Almanac" newsletter. "It's like every little bit helps right now."

The number of participating businesses jumped from 60 in 2008 to 92 this year. Remo Turano, owner of Chicago Pastry: Casa Dei Dolci and a leader in the B-Card initiative, said both customer and owner feedback was positive enough to expand the discount program from one to three weeks this year.

"Sales tax revenues are down, and this could be a good shot in the arm for the village," Turano said. "And for residents, it's always great to save."

The program was created by Bloomingdale's Business Promotion & Cultural Development Committee and participating business owners, who are notified of the program by mail, decide what discounts they want to provide. Residents are notified of the B-Card dates via the Village Almanac and they can pick up the card at Bloomingdale Village Hall, 201 S. Bloomingdale Road, and at the Bloomingdale Public Library, 101 Fairfield Way.

While some discounts are comparable to a typical coupon, some businesses like Pearl Design Group, LLC, are offering steep discounts, such as 55 percent off the list price for kitchen cabinets, Johnson said.

Although it's too soon to tell if this year's expanded initiative will prove financially successful, Turano said he hopes it catches on strong and the B-Card can expand more in 2010.

In addition to possibly notifying residents through banners, street signs and the "Almanac" next year, Turano said he hopes to possibly allow the B-Card to be available to anyone who wants to shop in the village - no matter where they live.

"If the B-Cards go to Chicago or Oak Lawn, the feeling is, so what?," Turano said. "If people come to Bloomingdale to shop, it benefits everybody." For more details and a list of all participating businesses. visit villageofbloomingdale.org.