Gift Rochester, which is supported by the Rochester Downtown Alliance and Mayo Clinic, collaborated to support local downtown businesses, and the Mayo Clinic purchased $257,786.95 in merchandise from downtown businesses in Rochester.

An online pop-up local shopping experience was set up for managers and supervisors to recognize their staff this holiday season. Gift Rochester's holiday shop was open from November 6th through the 20th and allowed Mayo Clinic managers and supervisors to shop for a variety of local gifts and products for their staff.

The Mayo Clinic proposed the collaboration as a way to support local downtown businesses during the pandemic and has an alternative to typical holiday gatherings, according to a press release from Gift Rochester.

"Our neighboring downtown businesses are partners in providing patients, visitors and our staff with a world-class experience. We need to support one another," says Erin Sexton, director of Enterprise Community Engagement. "We are thrilled that this was such a popular option for our staff this year and even more thrilled to see these dollars go right back to the downtown businesses. We are grateful for the collaboration with Gift Rochester to make this happen."

The Mayo Clinic reached out to Gift Rochester and the Rochester Downtown Alliance as potential partners to bring the program to life. The shop was piloted with over 50 businesses in downtown Rochester to underscore Mayo Clinic's commitment to sustaining its neighboring business community. 

Gift Rochester is apart of the branding company White Space, and the founder, Sarah Miller, shared how the idea started as a personal need and turned into something more.

"This idea started as a personal need to fill my son’s Easter basket back in April when supporting the local businesses during out stay-at-home order. Seventy-two hours later, we launched our pilot program. While this model has evolved to support Mayo Clinic’s needs, the heart of this endeavor ― supporting our friends and neighbors ― has remained."

 

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