Nassau chamber members offer vets discounts
Veterans gather Thursday at the Have You Heard store in Bellmore; it's one of 50 Nassau businesses now offering vets discounts. (Nov. 10, 2011) Credit: Jessica Rotkiewicz
Chris Murray, president of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, which represents more than 40 local chambers in the county, admits the idea is a borrowed one, but a good idea nonetheless.
The council announced Thursday it has started a program to provide veterans with discounts of 10 percent to 20 percent at businesses owned or run by council members.
"We stole the idea a bit from the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce," Murray said, adding that someone on the staff of Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) had told the council about the Staten Island program. "We thought it was a great idea," he said.
Murray said that so far 50 businesses have signed up to provide the discounts. He said the council has a goal of signing up 250 and the program will continue indefinitely. Pizza and cellphone stores, haircutters, hotels, optometrists and a chiropractor are among the participants, Murray said.
"It's a win-win," Murray said. "This is a way for merchants to attract new business and a way to give back" for military service.
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