New Site Offers Up Dining Deals
Wednesday, Sep 15, 2010 | Updated 6:14 PM CDT
VillageVines.com hopes to be a win-win, offering consumers deals on the meals and by filling the seats of restaurants during their slow periods.
Chicago-based Groupon is facing a new competitor.
The website VillageVines.com, which offers online restaurant deals in New York City, hs expanded to Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francsico and Washington, D.C.
Registered users get a daily e-mail with offers and then pay $10 for a reservation which typically leads to a 30 percent discount off the check.
"Food and drink lovers can stretch their savings endlessly," said co-founder Ben McKean in a written statement. "Plus, since the discount is tied to a specific reservation, VillageVines members are spared the hassle and awkwardness of presenting a paper coupon to receive their discounts.”
The New York startup said they've already got several Chicago eateries to participate, including Al Primo Canto, C-House and Geja’s Cafe.
Groupon, which launched two years ago, was earlier this year to be worth more than $1 billion.
