Have you heard about the Go Local Houston card?

HOUSTON

It's called the Go Local Houston card. You can buy it for $10 and with it, you can score discounts at many locally owned and operated businesses. The idea is to help boost the Houston economy while offering incentives for consumers.

The Go Local Houston card looks like a credit card but works like a discount card. You simply show it to participating businesses and for the entire year, you'll save money.

At the Bamboo House near downtown, if you have a Go Local Houston card, you'll get a free dessert. For small business owners, it's an opportunity to gain new business.

"Bamboo house is a family owned independent small business," said Bessie Chow with Bamboo House. "We would like to draw more of the local people to support small independent businesses."

"The idea is to keep the money in Houston and get it circulated as many times as we can," said Elliott Gerstenhaber with Go Local Houston.

Gerstenhaber says the card has been in Houston for only four months but already more than 100 businesses have signed up and he's hoping others will follow.

At Ruggles Green, all Go Local customers get 10 percent off.

But it's not just local restaurants.

Dr. Afsaneh Moradi with the Dental Wellness Group is giving card holders who are first-time patients a discount.

"We give you 15 percent discount on your first visit, which includes comprehensive exam, x-rays and possibly cleaning," Dr. Moradi said.

At River Oaks Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Go Local card holders get 10 percent off parts and services.

At the Diagnostic Eye Center off Edloe near Richmond, it's $1,000 off Lasik eye surgery or 25 percent off eye exams and glasses.

"At the end of the year, you have saved many, many times the cost of the card," Gerstenhaber said.

So how do you get it? Two ways: You can order it online at http://thegolocalcard.com/index.php/Houston or you can pick one up at any of the participating businesses.

The card is $10 and it's good for one year.