National group buys Ohio tea party shopper program

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio-based shopper loyalty program aimed at tea party supporters has been sold to a conservative group that plans to take it national.

Washington-based Unite in Action says it bought the name, concept and online site of the Tea Party Exchange for an undisclosed amount.

The exchange in Dayton suspended operations last week after some controversies, including with merchants who said customers complained.

The program stated that 5 percent of the proceeds from sales made with shopper cards would go to the local tea party chapter. Founder Donald Hutchinson had said Dayton was a test market.

Stephani Scruggs, president of the nonprofit Washington group, says details of how the program will work nationally are still being worked out.