Anne-Margaret Swary Columns
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Bring home the gold

By Anne-Margaret Swary The Citizen

As many of you know, I've been on a real money-saving kick the past few months. So news of a Key West discount card that gives discounts at several restaurants and attractions around town piqued my interest.

Two Key West businessmen developed the card more than a year ago as a way to help market their businesses. Sean Farrer of Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Co. and his friend Patrick Cattern, owner of Booya Charters, came up with the idea over drinks one evening, Farrer said. Since then, their Gold Card Key West discount card has grown to include more than 70 restaurants bars, attractions, watersports activities and retail stores.

"It just happens to be a good time with the recession," he said. People are really keen on finding ways to save money while on vacation, and locals can save at many of their favorite restaurants and bars, he said.

The cost of the card is $19.95, but that's easily recouped after just a few uses.

"The idea was to get your money back the first or second time that you used it, and also help local vendors who have been around and do a good job," he said.

The Gold Card would be a great gift for friends and family who might be traveling to Key West for a visit in the near future. It's also not a bad thing to have if you entertain out-of-town guests a lot.

The card's dinner discounts entitle you to a free bottle of wine with the purchase of any two entrees at Grand Cafe, Hurricane Joe's, Cafe Sole or Camille's. It also offers 20 percent off your bill at Dante's, Shanna Key, Lazy Gecko, Sports Page Bar & Grill and New York Pasta Garden, or 15 percent off at Tavern N Town.

Martin's will give you a free glass of champagne with an entree and the Rum Barrel will give you a free sampler.

There also are lunch discounts, including 20 percent off at Bagatelle, Nine One Five and Island Dogs, among many others.

About a dozen different retail and clothing stores offer discounts of 15 percent to 20 percent, as well as attractions such as the Pirate Soul Museum, Key West Biplane and the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory.

There also are savings for wave runner tours, dolphin watching and snorkeling, and Sunset Watersports' "Do it All" trip.

Cattern will throw in a free Gold Card for any private fishing or charter trip booked with Booya Charters, or a dolphin watching and snorkel trip on the Glass Reef, operated by Cattern's wife.

A complete list of participating businesses and their discounts can be found at http://www.goldcardkeywest.com. The card can be purchased through the Web site. For additional information, call Farrer at 305-292-GOLD.

Anne-Margaret Swary is The Citizen's business editor. Her column runs exclusively every other Sunday. She can be reached at amswary@keysnews.com.