Frequently Asked Questions By Business Owners

 

Frequently Asked Questions By Business Owners: The Local Love Initiative

This FAQ is designed for local business owners in the Los Alamos and White Rock area.

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1. What is the Local Love Initiative?

The Local Love Initiative, spearheaded by Places and Spaces Los Alamos (PSLA), is a year-round strategy aimed at encouraging, rewarding, and celebrating local commerce. The driving purpose behind the initiative is to ensure small businesses fully recover from pandemic-related struggles and achieve sustainable local growth amidst challenges like high operational and labor costs. The mission is to identify and implement methods that make it easier for locals, visitors, and commuters to connect with your business community, improving year-round revenue and traffic.

2. Which businesses are considered "local" and eligible to participate?

A "local business" is defined as a small, independent establishment located in the Los Alamos area, including White Rock, that provides goods and/or services to the public. While the program focuses on merchant businesses (shops, stores, restaurants, cafes, pubs, and service providers), any local business may participate. Locally or regionally owned franchise establishments may also be included at the discretion of Places & Spaces Los Alamos. A list of eligible local businesses is provided on the initiative website.

3. What is the current promotion under the Local Love Initiative?

The current promotion is the Local Love Snap, Tag, and Share Holiday Promotion. This contest encourages customers to visit a local business, snap a photo/selfie of their purchase, receipt, or visit, tag the post with #lalocallove and the business name, and share it on their Facebook or Instagram timeline. The contest allows entry anytime, and as many times as desired, between now and January 9, 2026.

4. What are the key benefits of the Local Love Initiative for my business?

The initiative’s efforts are focused on increasing foot traffic and revenue directly to merchants. Supporting local businesses is crucial because they are community anchors. Economic policy experts estimate that for every $100 spent at a local, independent business, approximately $58 remains in the local economy, which is nearly double the amount retained when spent at a chain ($33). Local businesses also play a foundational role by hiring local people, using local services, and contributing tax revenues that fund local infrastructure, schools, and sports teams.

5. Will participating in the initiative involve new administrative burdens or costs?

There is no cost and minimal effort required of businesses.

A key operating principle of the initiative is the commitment to eliminate or minimize out-of-pocket expenses and administrative burdens for participating businesses. The goal is to drive customers to your door, not add another item to your to-do list.

The prizes awarded are Local Love Gift Cards, which can be used for purchases at local businesses. Merchants who accept these cards do not pay any fees to the contest organizers and receive the full value of the transaction same as any credit card transaction. They will only need to pay their regular MasterCard processing fee as with any credit card purchase.

6. What kinds of prizes are customers winning that they may spend at my business?

More than $1500 in Gift Card prizes will be awarded.

• Weekly Prizes: One winner is randomly drawn each week to receive a $100 Local Love Gift Card.

• Grand Prizes: Several Grand Prizes, awarded in January, will be given for categories such as Most Posts Submitted, Highest Receipt Total (based on a photo of the receipt), Best Overall Story, Most Unique Item Purchased, Tastiest Looking Meal, Most Enticing Drink, and Best Video Testimonial.

Because these prizes are awarded as Local Love Gift Cards, all prize money is directed back to local businesses.

7. Can local business owners or staff participate in the contest and win prizes?

Local businesses may submit entries. However, local businesses are not eligible to win prizes for entries submitted about their own business. Contest organizers and administrators are also ineligible to win prizes.

Businesses are encouraged to “share their love” for other local businesses by making entries spotlighting them.

8. What are the Gift Cards? How do I accept them and get reimbursed?

No special handling is needed. The physical gift cards are Mastercard cash cards and work like any credit card. If you are presented one, it can be processed like any other credit card, and the proceeds are paid to you like any credit card. If insufficient funds remain on the card to cover the purchase amount, your terminal will decline the card. The gift cards are not being sold. They are only being issued as contest prizes. Less than twenty prizes will be awarded.

9. What is Places and Spaces Los Alamos?

Places & Spaces Los Alamos is an all-volunteer, 501c3 not-for-profit organization in Los Alamos, NM. Our mission is to support the creation, improvement, and activation of places and spaces for community life in Los Alamos & White Rock. We consider our local businesses as vital places and spaces for community life.