Fuerza del Este: Shop at Eastland area businesses and get a free gift card, worth up to twice the amount you spend – Charlotte On The Cheap

· Charlotte, North Carolina Local News · By ReportWire

Fuerza del Este is a campaign designed to quickly pump dollars back into the Eastland-area small business ecosystem after a tumultuous November. It’s estimated that between November 15 and November 22, 2025, half of the independently-owned businesses unexpectedly closed for at least one day, resulting in an average daily loss of $2,500 in revenue.

By participating in Fuerza del Este and shopping at a participating business, you can receive a gift card worth up to TWICE what you spend, while funds last.

How it works

  • Make a purchase above $25 at any eligible business (the list is available here) between November 29th-December 31st.
  • Take a picture of your receipt (please mark out personal information, card numbers) and upload it here.
  • Wait for CLT East to email you on January 5th to choose the business you’d like to receive a gift card from; pick up or have gift cards delivered between January 19th and January 23rd.

By the numbers:

  • $25 to $49 purchase earns $50 gift card
  • $50+ purchase earns $100 gift card

Notes

  • Limit one entry per person
  • The program will be closed once funds are exhausted ($15,000)
  • Not all listed businesses currently utilize gift cards; the organization is working to get many set up with this by the time winners make their selections on January 5, 2026.
  • A separate small business grant relief fund, culinary tours, and community dinners running through Q1 2026 will accompany this initiative
  • For questions, reach out to secretary@charlotteeast.com.

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However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake. 
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