Port Washington joins ‘Downtown Deals’ initiative to promote local businesses

Members of the Port Washington community and local officials gathered at the North Hempstead Town Dock to announce the newest addition to a program aimed at promoting downtown business districts on Long Island.

Port Washington’s downtown was named as the eighth business district to be featured in Discover Long Island’s “Downtown Deals” initiative. The initiative is a partnership between Discover Long Island, Nassau County and the county’s Industrial Development Agency.

The initiative features a free, mobile phone application that sends its users offers and promotional codes for some of Nassau’s downtown areas that were greatly impacted by the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. 

In Nassau County,  the downtowns of Rockville Centre, Farmingdale and Great Neck were also chosen by officials to be part of the initiative. Discover Long Island President and CEO Kristen Reynolds said Port Washington’s downtown pass is one of the best on the island.

“We are grateful to the Nassau IDA for their continued support of the mobile Downtown Deals Travel Pass and encourage residents and visitors to utilize this digitized platform to explore the charming downtown of Port Washington, along with all of the other vibrant downtowns that are the fabric of our community,” Reynolds said.

Included in some of the Port Washington downtown deals are two-for-one sessions to the Port Salt Cave, 15 percent off select rooms at the Fathoms Hotel & Marina, complimentary self-guide history tour at the Sands Point Preserve, $5 off show tickets at the Landmark on Main Street, and more. Reynolds touted the work done by the Port Washington Business Improvement District and said it is hoped that more businesses will be added to the mobile pass in the near future.

“We are excited to work with Discover Long Island and be a part of Downtown Deals,” Port Washington Business Improvement District President Bill Gordon said. “As a Gold Coast waterfront town, Port Washington has always been a desired ‘waterfront destination,’ going back to our roots in the late 1800’s, when people wanted to escape the hustle, bustle (and summer heat) of New York City.”

An array of local officials were present, including Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, state Sen. Anna Kaplan (D-North Hills), Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti (D-Port Washington), county Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D-Glen Cove), Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth, Town Clerk Wayne Wink, and Town Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte.

“For everyone in Nassau County and New York, we’ve all gone through a very difficult time and small businesses have always had our back,” Kaplan said. “It is so important for everyone to make an effort to shop local.”

“Discover Long Island does so much to promote small businesses, and make no mistake, ‘Downtown Deals’ is a big deal,” Bosworth said. “This partnership is coming at such an important time, as the pandemic presented the local business community with many issues.”

Residents are able to sign up for free, contactless mobile offerings by visiting www.discoverlongisland.com/deals.  A link is sent to the participant’s mobile phone, which opens a “virtual passport” and directs the participant to add an icon to the home screen, easily accessible at any time. A participant ready to redeem a pass can hand the phone over at the checkout counter to access a deal, promotion or special offer.