Visit Milwaukee offers free $25 gift cards with purchases at local businesses

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee shoppers can receive a free $25 gift card when they purchase $25 or more in gift cards from participating local businesses Monday, Dec. 15 through Christmas Eve.

The Buy Local Bonus Campaign, part of the Visit Milwaukee Foundation, provides customers with a free $25 gift card from the same business at the time of purchase while supplies last. The program is designed to support Milwaukee restaurants, bars, shops and breweries during the holiday season.

The Visit Milwaukee Foundation buys gift cards directly from participating businesses, providing them with guaranteed revenue upfront. Once a business runs out of bonus gift cards, the promotion ends at that location.

"We do rely on folks who are intentional about supporting small businesses and that's how we're able to stick around," said Lilo Allen, owner of Bronzeville Collective. "You're not just supporting me, you're supporting other local creatives, you're supporting dreams. We feel the impact of those dollars immediately, as opposed to going to a big box store."

Allen noted that in the winter months, sales tend to slow down.

"So, if you buy it now, use it in January or February, because that's when they're really, really slow," said Renee Lindner, corridor support director for the Historic King Drive Business Improvement District.  "People live right here, it impacts all different businesses right close to them, and you just do something extra, and they get to keep that profit versus it going somewhere else."

More than 30 businesses are participating, including Sprecher Brewery, Third Space Brewing, Cafe Corazon, Maxie's and Cousins Subs. A full list of participating businesses is available by clicking here.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson promoted the campaign Monday on social media, encouraging residents to buy local.