COMMERCE IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS -- Part 7

Main Streets, Business Improvement Districts and Downtowns Lead the Way

The Ball and Chain has a promotion that patrons get back 50 percent of money spent during the crisis (by submitting receipts) -- toward purchases when the home of Latin food, music and culture fully reopens. 

There also is a promotion that $40 spent buys a $50 gift certificate and $80 buys a $100 one plus a free T-shirt.

The promotions generate buzz and much-needed revenue during the pandemic.

“I have found over 90 percent of our tenants, whether open or not, have come in saying `I can pay 20 percent, 30 percent’ -- not saying `I’m giving you nothing.’ 

You know who your real friends are,” he said, noting his mom and pop tenants are making good faith efforts when one of his few national, deep-pocketed tenants has balked at paying a penny.