The Downtown Columbia restaurant scene is comingtogether with help from a local Maryland tech company.

Founded in 2014, Loyal Tap is a mobile loyalty solution that taps into what it means to be a local business community. The company just released its second loyalty app, Downtown Columbia Eats, uniting the downtown community's restaurants and eateries under a single loyalty platform. Loyal Tap launched its first app, Shop Frederick, earlier this year.

Like Shop Frederick, the Columbia app will feature a list of participating businesses in the area. According to Loyal Tap, each business offers its own challenges and rewards, from a free lunch to a high five from an employee. When a customer completes a challenge, they unlock the reward specific to that business.

The launch of Downtown Columbia Eats will feature 20 restaurants ranging from the downtown areato inside the Columbia Mall including Petit Louis Bistro, Union Jack's, Seasons 52, Whole Foods, Nordstrom Caf, and more.

"The loyalty app is a collaboration between the Downtown Columbia Partnership and the Mall in Columbia. As we look at our current strengths downtown, our restaurants are at the top of the list," said Barb Nicklas, Executive Director of the Partnership. "We're very excited to work with Loyal Tap on this project."

"We're excited to see how Downtown Columbia Eats brings Columbia's restaurant communitytogether," said Tobin Lehman, President and Lead Strategist for Loyal Tap. "We look forward to seeing Columbia's loyalty grow as we pursue our goal of creating one million loyal customers across the country."

[caption id="attachment_21212" align="alignright" width="300"] Aerial view of Columbia, Maryland[/caption]

By creating apps for "Shop Small" areas, Loyal Tap hopes to help strengthen the identities of small business communities throughout Maryland. In return, by using Loyal Tap's technology, business owners and customers alike contribute to the community's identity and promote the area as a great place to do business.

Loyal Tap's technology is easily transferable to any small business community, giving each downtown its own app presence. The company plans to initially focus on Maryland and the surrounding areas and anticipates releasing additional community apps in the upcoming months.

If you work in a small business community and want to learn more about Loyal Tap, fill out the form located on its website, or contact Jon Anderson.