MANSFIELD — LocaLynx is reaching new horizons.
The free mobile app that allows users to find deals and information on local businesses has expanded beyond its original market in Mansfield to reach neighboring communities, as well as six states and Canada.
In addition to Mansfield, the app may now be used in Ashland, Galion, Bucyrus and Mt. Vernon, as well as out-of-state communities, including Laurel and Crofton, Maryland; Delray Beach, Boca Raton and Highland Beach, Florida; Katy, Texas; Holland, Michigan; Monument, Colorado; Oshkosh, Wisconsin; and Oshawa, Ontario.
LocaLynx co-founder Shane Hostetler said the expansion was prompted by the success seen in the Mansfield area and interest shown by other communities.
LocaLynx began as an idea at the Braintree Business incubator in 2014. From there, the business moved into its own office on Park Ave West. The LocaLynx app officially launched in October 2015.
“We wanted to create an app where people, no matter where they go, can shop local,” Hostetler said.
The app is meant to serve as a tool to help small businesses grow and communities thrive. The intended outcome is that more people are inclined to shop at locally owned businesses.
“There have been a lot of exciting updates to the app since we first launched in Mansfield that make it better for the shoppers and better for the businesses,” Hostetler said.
In February of this year, LocaLynx crossed the 50,000 download mark. Businesses featured on the app redeemed over 3,000 coupons last month.
LocaLynx’s goal is that every community in the U.S. will eventually have access to the app.
In the short term, the company intends to expand into three to four new communities by the end of the year, one is in-state and the rest are out-of-state.
LocaLynx was recently featured in the Baltimore Sun (Maryland), the Holland Sentinel (Michigan), and numerous blog posts and websites.
“We expected it (the app) to do well locally, but it’s been great to see the growth that’s happened and how many people have been really excited about it in other places, too,” Hostetler said.
