Pay it Forward Coupon program at Atlas Park

Atlas Park has created a thrifty coupon program called ‘Pay It Forward’ to entice customers to shop during the gloomy economy. The program began March 9 and will end April 30.
As part of the Pay It Forward program, when customers make a purchase at one store, they can receive a coupon to shop at another participating store in Atlas Park.
The discounts will vary from business to business and range from 20 to 40 percent off the purchase price, said Peter Faccibene, CEO of the Japanese restaurant Shiro of Japan.
One Atlas Park shopper, Julia Wersch, 35, said she likes the coupon program.
“I think it is great,” she said. “I haven’t seen anything like it before.”
Wersch said she likes that the businesses at Atlas Park are working with each other instead of against each other during this period of economic hardship.
The coupon program was organized by roughly 20 businesses in the Atlas Park Tenant Association as a response to the slumping sales they are experiencing, which is most likely a reflection of the economy’s current state, said Faccibene.
“This is basically our own stimulus package,” he said.
Faccibene and other business owners in Atlas Park are trying to counteract the idea that they are expensive. Faccibene said that the shopping area only looks expensive, but that there are many affordable stores and restaurants to explore.
In spite of the economy, the businesses are doing well, according to Faccibene. They have increased shopping promotions, such as this coupon program, and intend to continue brainstorming different ways to attract customers to the shopping center.
Another business that is benefiting from the program is Art World. The store specializes in framing and collecting eclectic memorabilia ranging from Broadway show props to “The Nightmare Before Christmas” figurine replicas.
Art World also specializes in shadow boxes – a glass box that displays three-dimensional artwork and memorabilia.
The store was proud to shadow box the wand of the Good Witch of North from the Broadway musical “Wicked.”
The owners, Teri Basile and Stevie Colaianni, said the coupon program is working very well and the other businesses are referring customers to their store.
Art World moved to the Atlas Park complex two years ago from Austin Street. Colaianni said they moved because their previous location was not accessible.
“Our store deserved a beautiful backdrop like Atlas Park,” said Colaianni.
In addition to Pay It Forward, the owners of Art World are fortifying their customer base by decorating their store to coincide with seasonal themes and movie releases, then hosting a small party for people to mingle and review at their inventory.
“We love Atlas Park and believe in this project,” Colaianni said.