The Challenge
When COVID-19 closures hit Gloucester’s downtown district, the Gloucester Main Street Preservation Trust needed an immediate solution to support local businesses. As a nonprofit committed to economic vitality and community development, they launched the Downtown Dollars program, an online gift card marketplace to funnel funds into local shops and restaurants.
But turning the idea into a secure, user-friendly e-commerce platform required speed, expertise, and trust. They needed full control of the portal, seamless payment processing, mobile responsiveness, and the confidence of partnering with a team that understood the stakes.
The Solution
With funding from the Virginia Main Street program, TechArk partnered with the Preservation Trust to develop the Downtown Dollars e-commerce platform quickly. We designed a secure and intuitive marketplace where customers could buy gift cards at 30 percent off face value, while businesses still received the full amount. Stripe integration ensured secure, efficient payments, and automated vouchers streamlined fulfillment.
Key features included:
- Discounted gift card logic backed by grant funding
- Stripe-based secure payment system
- Auto-generated vouchers for customers and merchants
- Custom reports on spend, transaction volume, and voucher counts
Performance Snapshot
- Gift cards discounted 30 percent without affecting merchant revenue
- Fully operational site launched under urgent timeline
- Auto-reporting improved transparency and program tracking
- Dual voucher delivery ensured seamless redemption
The Results
The Downtown Dollars program kept money flowing through Gloucester’s Main Street, supporting shops, strengthening community ties, and showcasing how tech and trust can deliver real impact.
