FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 9, 2022
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Anjana Schroeder / 313-407-5729 / [email protected]
Kirsty McInnes / 734-644-0218 / [email protected]
THE DOWNTOWN DETROIT PARTNERSHIP AND BEDROCK ANNOUNCE THE MERGER OF
THE DETROIT CARD AND THE SPIRIT CARD
As of August 1, The Spirit Card will expand its oversight to manage operations of all Detroit Card vendors, streamlining citywide eGift card program efforts to stimulate local businesses in every neighborhood in the city of Detroit
DETROIT, Mich. – The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) and Bedrock today announced that their respective gift card programs have merged and will now operate under one entity – The Spirit Card.
Both cards were designed to stimulate the city of Detroit’s local businesses and are operating through the eGift card technology partner Yiftee. The combining of The Detroit Card with The Spirit Card will expand consumer and corporate activity across the city and encourage a continued a sense of connectedness among small and large businesses alike.
“The small business growth across Detroit over the past several years has been extraordinary,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “This new unified Spirit Card will be a simple way for people across the region to discover these great businesses and support Detroit’s neighborhood economy. I appreciate the partnership between Bedrock and the Downtown Detroit Partnership to make this happen.”
The expansion of The Spirit Card program means that the public can now spend their Spirit Card funds at over 100 local businesses across the city of Detroit. Previously distributed Detroit Cards remain valid at all local merchants who accept both The Detroit Card and The Spirit Card. Click here for full list of participating Spirit Card merchants.
“DDP is proud to be a part of such an innovative project that connects the entire city. We are hopeful that this next chapter of The Spirit Card will not only continue recognizing so many unique small and family-owned businesses Downtown, but the entire city,” said DDP CEO Eric B. Larson. “The Spirit Card offers an easy way for individuals and corporations to buy electronic gift cards that will create a significant boost to our local economy.”
Launched in November 2017, The Detroit Card has been a huge success with $3.2 million in gift card sales, all of which must be spent exclusively at participating local businesses across the city of Detroit. The inspiration for The Spirit Card, launched in 2021, was to support the small business community in Detroit, particularly restaurants and retailers who had been hard-hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. The DDP is excited to expand The Spirit Card program through this merger and by reaching out to additional corporate, government, non-profit and consumer purchasers, as well as merchants in all Detroit neighborhoods to continue to stimulate the local economy and the “shop local” movement.
“The Detroit Card was the first all-digital Community Card program in the country. Bedrock is proud to have helped launch this system, which maintains millions of dollars for local Detroit shops and restaurants,” said Ivy Greaner, COO at Bedrock. “Merging The Detroit Card with The Spirit Card is the natural next step for this successful initiative. We look forward to supporting DDP as they connect even more businesses, merchants and shoppers into the ecosystem of The Spirit Card.”
There is no additional cost to merchants to participate in The Spirit Card program. To learn more about the now expanded Spirit Card program, visit www.downtowndetroit.org/spiritcard.
After The Detroit Card merchants merge with The Spirit Card, the DDP will invite corporations and other employers to participate in the eGift card program as a part of their employee rewards and recognition programs. The more employees receive The Spirit Card, the more support is offered to unique small and local Detroit businesses. Additional information about how employers can get involved in the program, earn discounts and support the City is available at www.downtowndetroit.org/spiritcard.
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About the Downtown Detroit Partnership
The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) strengthens and supports Downtown Detroit through strategic initiatives and programs. DDP convenes business, philanthropic and government partners to create a vibrant and resilient urban core for Detroit and the surrounding community. DDP is responsible for programming, managing and operating many of Downtown Detroit’s parks and public spaces.
For more information, visit DowntownDetroit.org. and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
About Bedrock
Bedrock is a full-service real estate firm specializing in innovative city-building strategies, reaching far beyond the boundaries of bricks and mortar. Since its founding in 2011, Bedrock and its affiliates have invested and committed more than $5.6 billion to acquiring and developing more than 100 properties in Detroit and Cleveland, including landmark developments at the Hudson’s Site, the Book Tower restoration, City Modern and the May Company Building. Bedrock’s portfolio totals more than 22 million square feet of office, retail and residential space within new construction and adaptive reuse projects.
For more information on Bedrock’s projects, visit bedrockdetroit.com or engage with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Click here to view a complete timeline of Bedrock and the Rock Family of Companies’ engagement within the Detroit community.
About Yiftee
Yiftee serves more than 400 communities and 13,000 local businesses with simple, secure, PoS-independent eGift Cards that keep local dollars local including more than $28M in pandemic years 2020 and 2021. The company works with city governments and other local organizations to create Community Cards branded for the community and redeemable at local businesses. The program is free to implement and operate and free for the merchants. Organizations and individuals purchase cards online and send them to friends, family and co-workers to support their local businesses. Yiftee also provides custom-branded cards for individual merchants, franchises, and chains. For more information, visit www.yiftee.com or follow Yiftee on Twitter or Facebook.
Yiftee contact: Donna Novitsky, CEO, [email protected], (650)533-0938
The Spirit Card – Frequently Asked Questions
What does this mean for holders of The Detroit Card that still have funds available?
All currently existing Detroit Cards will continue to be honored at all merchants who are participating in The Spirit Card, which includes all Detroit Card merchants starting August 1. They will not expire or be subject to fees. Check here for actively participating Spirit Card merchants.
Is there any cost to merchants to participate in The Spirit Card?
All participating merchants pay normal Card Not Present (CNP) credit card processing fees upon redemption. There are no additional costs or monthly fees to merchants to participate.
As a Detroit Card merchant, what do I need to do to participate in The Spirit Card?
No action is necessary. You have automatically been added to The Spirit Card.. If you want to opt out, email [email protected] and you will be removed from both programs and no longer able to redeem Detroit Cards or Spirit Cards.
Is there a fee to purchase Spirit Cards?
Yes, purchasers pay an eDelivery fee of $1+5% upon card purchase, unless the fee is subsidized by a third party. Purchases of $1,000 or more may qualify for a discounted rate of $0.50+3% by sending funds in advance of purchase via check, wire or ACH. Contact [email protected] for more info.
Do Spirit Cards expire? What about Detroit Cards?
Spirit Cards do not expire and no fees are deducted as long as they are used at least once in a 12-month period. If Spirit Cards are unused for 12 consecutive months, a $3/month inactivity fee may be deducted from the card balance. If Spirit Cards are issued as awards, rewards or promotions, the purchaser may determine an expiration date, which is clearly indicated with the card either digitally or in print. Detroit Cards do not expire and are not subject to inactivity fees.
How do I check the balance of my Detroit Card or Spirit Card?
Go to https://c.yiftee.com/check-gift-balance and enter the card number. You can always find this link on the homepage of yiftee.com. Digital cards are live and show the current balance.
Where can I redeem my Detroit Card or Spirit Card?
Here is a list of currently participating merchants who accept both Detroit Card and Spirit Card: https://app.yiftee.com/gift-card/the-spirit-card–detroit-detroit/locations
You can also read more about The Spirit Card and DDP at DowntownDetroit.org/SpiritCard
I have questions about The Spirit Card. Who should I contact?
Questions may be directed to [email protected] or Kitty Whitfield, DDP’s Small Business Engagement Manager, at 313-949-5633. For Yiftee customer service or technical support, email [email protected].
