West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square merchants are gearing up for a season of giving from Nov. 1-11, 2018, with the annual ‘We Care Card’ to support Foodshare.
By Joy Taylor
It’s that time again to “shop, dine, stroll, and give” as The Center and Blue Back Square businesses gear up for their annual giving event. The “We Care Card”is on sale for a donation of $50, and this year the can be purchased via a convenient Eventbrite link.
Select stores will also have We Care Cards available for purchase, including BK&Co., Central Optica, Kimberly Boutique, and Lux Bond & Green. With the purchase of the card, donors will be offered discounts and special offers at nearly 70 different businesses from Thursday, Nov. 1 through Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018. Shoppers are encouraged to buy their card(s) early so that it can be used for the full 10-day period.
The promotion enables participants to address the problem of hunger in West Hartford and throughout Hartford and Tolland counties. “Every card purchased will provide 125 meals to those who are locally food insecure,”Al Marino, corporate and community giving manager for Foodshare, told the West Hartford Center Business Association (WHCBA). “The people of West Hartford are extremely generous and we are very grateful.”
Not only are those who purchase We Care Cards giving back, but they can also save a significant amount while patronizing local businesses, and even amass far more in savings than the money spent on the card.
“It’s the perfect time to take advantage of the savings and treat yourself to some fall fashions, do some early holiday shopping, or eat at your favorite restaurant, all while helping a great organization provide meals for those who are food insecure – people who don’t know where their next meal is coming from, ” said WHCBA President Matt Banever.
The WHCBA and Blue Back Square have a hefty goal this year. “Our goal is to sell 350 We Care Cards this year, first come, first served, ” commented Amy Cholawa, marketing director for Blue Back Square.
The We Care Card committee, which is chaired by Barbara Karsky, treasurer of WHCBA and co-owner of BK&Co. and Tom Hickey, co-owner of WHMedia, is so excited about kicking off this event. “We love the ability to react to this need on a local level, to urge our clients to participate, enjoy the savings, and keep their donation dollars in their own community where it is so desperately needed.”
With discounts in many shops and restaurants, it has never been a better time to shop, dine, stroll, and give in West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square.
Participating Merchants, as of Oct. 25, 2018. (List subject to change and updates. See businesses for details):
| Merchant/Business | Offer | Exclusions |
| Armeny Custom Jewelry | 20% off storewide | Excludes Fine Jewelry, Repairs, Custom Orders |
| Artisan West Hartford | 20% off lunch food or dinner entrée | |
| Arugula | 20% off one dinner entrée | Exclusions apply |
| Avert Brasserie | 20% off lunch or dinner entrée | |
| Barcelona | Free tapa with We Care Card | |
| bartaco | Free housemade Churros with housemade chocolate dipping sauce with purchase of $25 ($7 value). | |
| Becker’s Diamonds & Fine Jewelry | 15% off estate jewelry | Excludes watches |
| BK&CO | 20% off storewide, including sale merchandise | |
| Bluemercury | Free samples with every purchase | |
| Bridgewater Chocolates | 20% off storewide | |
| Bruegger’s Bagels | Free cream cheese bagel with purchase of any drink | |
| Café Sofia | Free small coffee | |
| Center Framing & Art | 20% off all custom framing and artwork | |
| Central Optica | 20% off in-stock prescription eyewear; 20% off in-stock non-prescription sunglasses | Some brand and lens package restrictions, see employee for details. |
| Cookshop Plus | 10% off any full-priced products | |
| Daswani Clothiers | 20% off storewide, excludes custom, special orders, alterations, services | |
| Deadbolt & Skeleton Key | 20% off bill | |
| DeRobertis Jewelers | 10% off Storewide | Excludes loose diamonds, diamond engagement rings, diamond stud earrings, and repairs |
| Division West | 20% off lunch or dinner entrée | |
| Elbow Room | 20% off lunch or dinner entrée | |
| Exclusive Furs | 10% off storewide | |
| Eyeglasses.com | 20% off | On complete prescription pair (frame & lenses purchased), or on in stock Ray Ban/Oakley Sunglass frame only. Applies to stock prescription lenses including insurance benefits. |
| FaceRx Medspa | 10% off Hydrafacial treatment & complimentary LED collagen booster therapy ($75 value) | |
| Fleet Feet | 20% off storewide, excludes electronics and sale merchandise | |
| Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar | 10% off bill | Cannot be used during happy hour |
| Frame Dimensions | 20% off on custom framing only, may not be combined, not valid on rush or special orders. | |
| French Cleaners | 50% off one order (max $20) | |
| Grant’s | 20% off lunch or dinner entrée | |
| Harry’s Pizza | 20% off lunch or dinner entrée | |
| Hope & Stetson | 20% off storewide; excludes sale items, and furniture | |
| India Restaurant | 15% off entire check | |
| IRIS Photography | 20% off any family photo package | |
| J.McLaughlin | 20% off full price storewide | |
| KAOUD Rugs | 10% off storewide | |
| Keating Agency | $20 restaurant gift certificate with personal risk review | |
| Kennedy’s All American Barber | 15% off Signature haircuts | |
| Kimberly Boutique | 20% off storewide; excludes special orders and previous purchases | |
| Kimberly Gift | 20% off storewide; excludes special orders and previous purchases | |
| Larsen Ace Hardware | 20% off most items | Not valid on sale, discounted and clearance, rental, in-store services, Ace gift cards, fuel, Weber, Nest, Stihl, Yeti Brands, water heaters and grills. |
| Luna Pizza West Hartford | 20% off any large pizza, take-out/dining only (excludes delivery) | |
| Lux Bond & Green | 10% off storewide | Excludes Rolex, Tudor, David Yurman, loose and mounted diamond rings, and jewelry services. Other exclusions may apply. |
| Matthew Phillips Aveda Concept Salon | Free complimentary deep conditioning with any hair service | |
| Max Burger | 20% off any lunch or dinner entrée | |
| Max Zeller Furs | 10% off storewide | Excludes prior sales |
| Max’s Oyster Bar | 20% off lunch or dinner entrée | |
| Ooh La La Boutique | 20% off one item | |
| Penzeys Spices | Two free ¼-cup jars of Pie Spice (one for you, one for a friend) | No purchase necessary |
| Philip David Jewelers | 20% off selected items | |
| Play It Again Sports | 20% off any 1 item | |
| Poké-Man | 15% off total check | |
| Relax the Back WH | 5-15 % OFF |
Up to $1000 OFF ON SELECTED MATTRESSES, MASSAGE CHAIRS AND ZERO GRAVITY CHAIRS
SEE STORE FOR DETAILS.
|
| Restaurant Bricco | 20% off lunch or dinner entrée | |
| Robeks | 20% off, excludes gift cards | |
| Savoy Pizzeria & Craft Bar | 20% off any pizza | |
| Sight | 20% off Full-Priced eyeware | Cannot be combined with insurance |
| SPoT Coffee | 15% off total purchase | |
| Sugar | 15% off all retail products | Excludes B3 & Brazilian Blow-out products |
| Ten Thousand Villages | 25% off one item | Excludes sale merchandise |
| The Claypen | 15% off entire purchase, maximum $30 discount | |
| The Fix | 20% off | |
| The Green Teahouse | 15% off on regular priced items | Cups of tea and food items are excluded |
| The Silver Dahlia | 20% off one full priced item | |
| Toast Wines & Spirits | 15% off any wine case | May mix bottles; wine only, excludes spirits |
| Toy Chest | 10% off | Cannot be combined with any other offer; some manufacturer’s restrictions apply. |
| Treva | 20% off lunch or dinner entrée | |
| Vinted Wine Bar | 15% off all food (lunch or dinner) | Does not apply to already discounted items. |
| Zohara Mediterranean Kitchen | 20% off lunch or dinner entree |
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[…] Speaking of the We Care Card, this year’s benefit program for Foodshare launched on Thursday, and the cards, which are a donation to Foodshare, are usable through Nov. 11 and also offer savings at about 70 West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square merchants. Click here for details. […]