The village of Frankfort is launching a new program, RIPPLE, to encourage residents to shop local and help out businesses that have been closed or partially closed as part of the governor’s mandates.T
The Resident Incentive for Purchases to Promote the Local Economy will give residents who patronize local businesses this summer a $50 rebate on their water bills.
To participate, residents should save their receipts for purchases they make at a Frankfort business from June 1 to July 31. Residents need to spend $100 at Frankfort restaurants and $100 at retail stores that were considered non-essential, such as boutiques, gift shops, salons or clothing stores, to earn their rebate.
Then residents fill out a form, attach their receipts and turn it into the village to receive the $50 credit toward a water bill.
Purchases at grocery stores, hardware stores, garden centers and gas stations, which have remained open during the stay-at-home order, are not eligible, under the program guidelines.
“We think it’s a nice program for our residents,” said Mayor Jim Holland. “We hope it will help our shops that have had to be closed due to COVID-19.”
Holland said the village is home to a number of businesses that had to shut their doors recently. The village also has had to cancel social gatherings that would have brought foot traffic to the downtown area.
Some shops have offered curbside pickup services for customers who order online and order by phone, but most shops can’t wait to open their doors and welcome customers again, Holland said.
He is optimistic that when stores do open, Frankfort residents will be first in line.
“Our residents understand that our businesses are part of what makes Frankfort such a great community to live,” Holland said. “We have these boutique shops. We have high quality merchandise. We are very fortunate to have a historic downtown. We have great restaurants. It’s a fun experience wandering the town, a place to get together with friends.”
Bert Behnke, president of the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce, said he hopes local businesses can soon prosper again, and the RIPPLE program is one way the village is helping revive the local economy.
He said that when stores reopen, residents should consider buying local rather than ordering online from Amazon or another major retailer.
“These business owners are our neighbors,” said Behnke, whose Behnke Photographers was affected by the state closures and has just recently begun outdoor photography only.
“Their kids play ball with yours. They go to church with you. You see them at school events,” Behnke said. “My heart breaks for them. We want to draw business back to them and show them support.”
Valerie Thelen, owner of The Wine Thief, a wine bar, shop and restaurant at 6 Elwood St. in downtown Frankfort, said the program sounds like a great promotion.
She said village officials have been supportive during the pandemic and have ordered items to go.
The RIPPLE program is expected to cost Frankfort $325,150 if all 6,503 residential water accounts submit forms for a rebate, Holland said.
Applications, which can be mailed, email or dropped off at Village Hall, 432 W. Nebraska, are due Aug. 31.
MIchelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
