Fifty local gift cards are hiding in Carytown this St. Patrick’s Day

If you’re wandering through Carytown on St. Patrick’s Day, keep your eyes open. Fifty gift cards worth $15 each will be tucked away near local shops throughout the neighborhood on Tuesday, March 17, waiting for lucky passersby to find them.

The scavenger hunt is the centerpiece of the “You’re In Luck When You Shop Local” campaign from InUnison, the Central Virginia association that supports local, independent businesses across the Richmond region. The gift cards are loaded for several Carytown retailers, including consignment stores Ashby, Clementine and Clover, running store Lucky Road Run Shop, and toy store World of Mirth. Each card will be hidden near its respective store.

The whole effort ties back to Find Local RVA, InUnison’s online directory, where consumers can search for certified local businesses ranging from retail shops to professional services. The directory is available at findlocalrva.com.

“There’s often a push to shop local during the holiday season, but this is a fun way to remind shoppers of the buying power they have year-round,” says Diana McMahon, vice president of InUnison. “InUnison got its start as the Retail Merchants Association, and while we’ve expanded to support businesses beyond retailers, we’ve been promoting the power of supporting local businesses for more than 100 years.”

And if you don’t happen to stumble across one of the hidden cards, there are still reasons to stop by. All five participating shops are offering deals on March 17, and InUnison’s Find Local Club gives members access to ongoing perks and discounts at local businesses year-round. Membership is free and available at findlocalrva.com/join-the-club.