NORTHAMPTON — Downtown shoppers could now get an additional reward for their spending: free parking.
The city launched a parking validation program Tuesday that means customers could get up to four free hours of parking in the E.J. Gare Parking Garage behind Thornes Marketplace, Mayor David Narkewicz said in a release.
The first hour in the garage continues to be free.
On top of that, businesses can purchase sheets of stickers from the city’s parking office for one, two or three hours of free parking. These stickers will be attached to customers’ garage tickets by participating downtown shops and restaurants.
Stephanie McFeeters can be reached at smcfeeters@gazettenet.com.