GOACC offers gift certificates for holidays

OLEAN — The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce Gift Certificate Program maintains steady sales for far for 2021.

Gift certificates sales have steadily grown since the program began in the mid 1990s. Currently, the program has $198,095.00 in gift certificate sales through November 15, 2021. The 2020 program had sales figure of $329,753, which is more than the 2019 total of $ 298,540. The month of December 2020 had sales of $156,130.

GOACC instituted the Gift Certificate Program in 1995 and that year, certificates totaling $9,000 were sold with 35 member businesses involved in the program. More than 270 member businesses are signed on for this year-round certificate program. The certificates are sold at the GOACC Chamber office at 301 North Union Street, Olean, in increments of $5, $10, $20, $25 and $50.

“The uniqueness of the program is that it encourages redeemers of the certificates to discover products and services available at businesses in our area, businesses that support the Chamber of Commerce. After all, it is good business to do business with Chamber members,” said Lisa Carpenter, GOACC’s Administrative Assistant.

The gift certificates are the right gift for everyone, won’t be returned, won’t be the wrong color or size (although some may want more money!). Local companies are purchasing them as holiday gifts for their employees, retirement presents, and even, workplace incentives.

Erica Dreher, member services manager, added, “The Chamber has established three ways to purchase the Shop Olean gift certificates. 1 – Stop in the Chamber; 2 – Call in Order with Curb Side Delivery; and 3 – go online to shop.oleanny.com.”

“Businesses and residents’ support of the Chamber’s Gift Certificate program allow us to keep this program viable for the community. Sales come in via phone calls and emails from customers in Arizona, California, Canada, Ohio, and Pennsylvania purchasing gifts for residents in the Olean area, not just during the holidays but year round,” Carpenter added.

Additional benefits of the gift certificate program will be further realized when the certificates are spent in 2022, generating local, county, and state sales tax. Although it is also difficult to measure, Chamber officials are certain that there are additional sales generated locally from the use of the certificates.

Dreher reported, “GOACC office hours will be extended until 5:30 p.m. the month of December. The Chamber hours will be extended to 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, for Dec. 1-23, with Christmas Eve hours 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

For more information on Chamber gift certificates, please stop in GOACC at 301 N. Union St., Olean, or call (716) 3724433.

Santa Claus Lane

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Park. The electric service in Lincoln Park was upgraded allowing for more power at the Union Street corner. 2007 — A Santa on sleigh figurine was purchased and displayed on the wall of Bradner Stadium. Garlands and lights were placed on the Main Street bridge. 2008 — Electric was extended in War Veterans Park allowing for more figurines and lights to be displayed along East State Street lawn. Snowflakes were added to the Main Street bridge and Candy Canes to the South Union Street bridge. 2009 — Twelve wooden characters in Lincoln Park join the 50 foot Welcome to Santa Claus Lane sign; lights and garland on the pavilion in War Veterans Park; and the snowflakes on Main and South Union Street bridges are new decorations this year. 2010 — Ten cone-shaped, 8-foot trees were created by Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES and Mazza Mechanical Services.

2011 — The Santa Claus Lane committee have continued to expand lighting throughout Olean: 5 cone-shaped 5 foot trees were created by Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES and Mazza Mechanical Services 2014 — Refurbished the former pole tree decorations and hung ten decorations on the stadium fence at the Bradner Stadium. Santa Claus Lane committee purchased 8 new pole tree decorations and 8 new pole star decorations. Also, 30 street poles were wrapped in garland rope lights. 2016 — A fundraising campaign began in 2016 to raise funds for new decorations to go up on the new Union Street streetscape. Sixty snowflakes, 11 skylines and a live Christmas tree were added to the street thanks to the $50,000 raised by the community. 2020 — Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no formal parade or lighting ceremony will be held. However, lights are up on poles and businesses along the North Union Street corridor are encouraged to participate in a holiday decorating contest. 2021 — The parade returns with more decorations and special events planned, including the Jingle Bell Jubilee.