By Laura Onyeneho and Corey Plante
George Rozantes plops down in his chair. It squeaks loudly as he leans back. In the office of his auto body shop in East Boston, there’s hardly any room between the desk and opposite wall. Roantes, however, is spread out comfortably with dozens of client folders on the wall behind him.
“Didja know the guy who wrote The Sopranos lived just up the street here?” He smiles, revealing bright teeth as he nods to a signed picture on the wall. “He’s been here before.” Rozantes exudes confidence and pride. Various mechanics and clerks shout out to George with questions. Mid-sentence, he yells out a response.
When his attention returns, Rozantes smiles, and his eyes curl up with his lips. ”We’re excited for the casino,” he says. “That could only mean more business for us.”
George’s Auto Body is one of 60 businesses in East Boston — and more than 200 in the greater Boston area — interested in a rewards program through Mohegan Sun at the proposed Suffolk Downs location. Should the $1.3 billion plan come to fruition, gamblers could join and earn rewards points to spend on a new muffler at George’s, or many other goods and services from local businesses.
The rewards programs, called Momentum, has been used at other locations to earn members points that can be redeemed exclusively at Mohegan Sun establishments. This new model to be established at the proposed Revere site was developed as a means to gain community support by promising long-term benefits to participants.
Supportive businesses include East Boston restaurants like Cucchiello’s Bakery and Dacoopas Pizza, but a wider variety includes George’s Auto Body and even the East Boston Animal Hospital.
Mohegan Sun is working with the East Boston Chamber of Commerce and other chambers across the state to host vendor forums for businesses looking to get more information about the program.
- George Rozantes standing next to a work-in-progress. Photo by Corey Plante.
The Mohegan Sun project, approved by Revere voters on Feb. 25, must still compete with Wynn Resorts’ proposal in Everett. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission hopes to decide by May or June, and a significant factor will be gauging support in each community.
Carl Jenkins, managing director of Duff & Phelps, a corporate financial advising firm, says even though casino-goers will use points at local businesses, the impact on East Boston businesses is unclear. Jenkins who has studied the state’s gambling market, says that proximity to a “vibrant city with great restaurants, shopping centers, and scenery” would mean that Mohegan Sun’s biggest competitor might be the city of Boston itself. “The features of the program seem to be quite catchy to a consumer or a business, but I don’t think the points program alone will improve the situation at hand.”
Tracey Wilson, the director of regional marketing and sponsorships at Mohegan Sun, notes that Momentum, has been used at other locations to “drive business directly back to Mohegan Sun.” Time and money spent at the casino earns members points that can be redeemed for services directly from Mohegan Sun, including hotel rooms, meals, and entertainment.
“This new model with local businesses has the community in mind,” Wilson says. “Success for the surrounding region means success for Mohegan Sun.” Every point earned in the new model would be the equivalent of $1 that could be spent at any participating local business. In addition, businesses can also opt to provide exclusive discounts to card-carrying Momentum members.
Wilson also claims that one out of six adults in the greater Boston area already have a Momentum Rewards card for use at the Connecticut location, a number that would grow dramatically with the new location.
To a shop like George’s Auto Body, Momentum offers an opportunity to grow an already well-established business. Rozantes expresses optimism about the benefits that Momentum might bring: “I have a lot of competition in this town. There are body shops everywhere. I have invested a lot in this business, and I do what I can to keep things running.”
Laura O. 