OLEAN, N.Y. — Looking for that perfect gift for that special someone? The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce wants to remind holiday shoppers that they can find the perfect gift for everyone AND shop local.

GOACC instituted the Shop Olean Gift Certificate Program in 1995 and that year, certificates totaling $9,000 were sold with 35 member businesses involved in the program. The Chamber now has more than 282 member businesses are participating in this year-round certificate program. The certificates are sold at the GOACC Chamber office at 301 North Union Street, Olean, in increments of $5, $10, $20, $25 and $50. The Chamber regular hours are 9 a.m. — 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Last year, GOACC unveiled an online shopping site to enable anyone to shop virtually for the Chamber gift certificates, holiday ornaments and squirrel merchandise. The site,shop.oleanny.com, powered by Shopify was created by Chamber volunteer, Adam Jester. The site came online Nov. 22, 2018 and through year’s end saw $5,275 in gift certificate sales as well as $452 in other merchandise from the Chamber.

“This program keeps people shopping with our Chamber members,” said Erica Dreher, GOACC’s Membership Outreach Coordinator. She added, “This unique program encourages shoppers to discover all the products and services available from our local area businesses. You may be surprised at what you will find. After all, it is good business to do business with Chamber members.”