Back in the day, I served 5 terms on the Westport Youth Commission.
For 10 years we tried to develop a student discount program, for merchants.
It never happened.
In fact, back when I was a student at Staples High School, the Youth-Adult Countil — the Youth Commission’s ancestor — talked about a student discount card.
It too went nowhere.
All good things are worth waiting for.
Starting today — for the first time since the idea was broached, in the Johnson administration — Westport high school students (and those in college) can enjoy discounts, at over 2 dozen stores and restaurants.
And — how’s this for inclusion? — the program is also open to local educators.
The offers range all over town, from Vineyard Vines, Theory and Basso to The Bridge at Saugatuck, Pizza Lyfe and Restore Hyper Wellness. Most are from 10 to 20% off.
Even the Westport Country Playhouse is on board, with substantial ticket discounts for students and teachers.
The Youth Commission and Westport Downtown Association are partners in the launch.
Jake Shufro — a Youth Commission member and Staples High School junior — was aware of many long, fruitless attempts at a discount program.
He figured the WDA had the ability to make somethng work, and asked them to join the effort.
Youth Commission member Jake Shufro (left) and Westport Downtown Association community director Brian Spurr outside Rhone, one of 25 participants in the discount program.
Kevin Godburn, the town’s liaison to the Youth Commission as Department of Human Services director of youth services, notes, “This has been a great opportunity for student leaders to work with the local business community, and encourage peers to shop and socialize in town.
“With each program, the students learn a lot about what works and what doesn’t. We’re excited about the sustainability of this current version and look forward to a successful launch.”
To participate, high school or college students must present a valid student ID, or show their Schoology account. Educators must show their active credentials.
Partipants include:
Amenity Nail & Spa: Discounts on gel manicure, regular mani + pedi, and gel mani+regular pedi
Artistic Image Salon & Blow Dry Bar: 15% off
Brooks Brothers: 15% off
Courtgirl: 15% off
Earthplace: $5 admission for students
Field Trip Snacks: 20% off
GlowBar: 20% off
Hammer & Nails: 10% off
Kerri Rosenthal: 15% off
Madewell: 15% off
Marine Layer: 15% off
Moxie Salon: 20% off
Restore Hyper Wellness: 50% off core services for students; 20% off for teachers
Rhone: 20% off
The Two Oh Three: 10% off
Theory: 15% off
Vineyard Vines: 15% off
Vivid Cottage: 15% off
Westport Country Playhouse: Students, $20 tickets to any regular season performance; educators, 25% off regular single-ticket prices for all mainstage productions
Westport Cut & Shave: 10% off
Field Trip is offering 20% off its snacks.
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Basso: 15% off
The Bridge at Saugatuck: 10% off
Joe’s Pizza: 15% off
Original Pancake House: 20% off
Pizza Lyfe: 10% off
(For more details on the Youth Commission/Westport Downtown Association discount program, click here. There’s a form there too for merchants, services and restaurants to participate.)
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Really surprised not to see Mitchell’s on that list.
Dan (Katz, not Woog),
Virtue shaming the Mitchell family in Westport isn’t a good look. I didn’t see Stew Leonard’s on the list either. Or Starbuck’s. Or the new Vape shop on Maple that Dan’s always plugging.
Hmmmmmm; “Virtue shaming;” that’s a new one on me, Eric…YOU introduced the “shame” angle…I simply said I was surprised, which is a compliment because, usually, they are the leaders of eleemosynary gestures.
Which was my point. Thank you Dan (Katz, not Woog).
This is amazing! great work Jake Shufro and WDA!
Love this!