Flickr user sirqitous
Main Street Beaufort Dollars, even better than a Sacagawea dollar?

Update: The promotion is coming back.

Update February 22: When $15,000 worth of Main Street Beaufort Dollars went on sale they sold out in just 18 minutes.

So, did you get any? And if so, how long has it taken you to spend through them, or are you still working on you stash?

First reporting: In hopes of raising downtown shopping interests during the winter business slump, Main Street Beaufort will be selling 15,000 "Main Street Beaufort Dollars" at half-price.

So just what is a Main Street Beaufort Dollar? 

Think of it as a customer currency where 1 Main Street Beaufort Dollar equals 1 U.S. dollar, but it's only good at participating Main Street Beaufort merchants.

Got it all?

So then you'll have realized that, in effect, the dollars would allow you to shop half-off downtown (some initial merchants are listed below in the comments, anticipate this to expand).

Look to buy them starting on Saturday, February 18, at 10 a.m., and they'll be good through March 31. Buy them for cash only in $10 increments with a maximum of 100 dollars per person — that's $50 American dollars — at the Main Street Beaufort office located at 101 West Street Extension.

The program was inspired by a similar effort in Ardmore, Pa., that generated some 50% more in local sales.

Update February 15: The Main Street Beaufort Dollars go on sale this Saturday and the organization has released an updated list of the participating businesses. 

Are you planning to buy some half-off bucks?

See the list over here or below.

Bay Street
Fordham Market –   Joli Home Accents
Bay Street Gallery -  Modern Jewelers
M Home & Garden -  Bay Street Outfitters
Rossignol’s –   Hollyhocks
Lulu Burgess
Southern Sweets Ice Cream Parlor & Marilyn’s Lunch
Finishing Touches Etc –    Oyster Cay Collection
Papaya Island  –    McIntosh Book Shoppe
Harvey’s Barber Shop –   Best Western Sea Island Inn
The Cuthbert House Inn –   Downtown Marina of Beaufort
Carolina Wiggle Wear –   Panini’s on the Waterfront
Finders Keepers –     Luther’s Rare & Well Done
Plums Restaurant   –   Bay Street Jewelers
Q On Bay  –   Sweet Bay
The Craftseller   –    Doodlebugs
Saltus River Grill     –    Salon Aria off Bay
Deals

Carteret Street
Her Favorite Store    -   Breakwater Restaurant
The Chocolate Tree   -   Budget Print
Lime Lite Salon

Boundary Street
Grace & Glory Uptown   -   Murr Printing
Sea Eagle Market   -   Carolina Floral Design

Port Republic Street
Emily’s Restaurant & Tapas Bar
Southern Graces

Craven Street
Laura Tucker Designs

Congress Street
Magnolia Bakery Cafe’

King Street
Captured Moments Photography

Bladen Street
Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce Art Gallery

West Street
The Lollipop Shop

Scott Street
Kooky Mookys
Blackstone’s Café
The UPS Store
Divine Shoes
The Beaufort Day Spa