A new small business initiative called Lift Certificates aims to help small businesses on Martha’s Vineyard and in Falmouth get through the Covid-19 pandemic by issuing pre-paid, discounted gift certificates. The slogan for the campaign is Buy Today to Save Tomorrow.

A part of the Martha’s Vineyard Bank’s $625,000 coronavirus relief package, Lift Certificates are available at the bank’s online store: lift.mvbank.com. Consumers who purchase certificates for their favorite restaurants, salons, stores and other local businesses will receive an extra discount, funded by the bank, of up to 10 per cent.

For example, according to the bank, if a merchant offers a $100 certificate at a 15 per cent discount, the bank will match with another 10 per cent, so the consumer gets a $100 gift certificate for $75 and the seller gets $85 immediately. 

Island businesses offering certificates this week include Rainy Day, Leroux, Rosewater, Waterside Market, Lambert’s Cove Inn, Sea Spa and Vineyard Complementary Medicine. Nonprofits are also taking part, with both the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society and the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse offering discounted certificates.