Mayor Meeker Declares July 1-7 Independents Week in Raleigh
RALEIGH, N.C. (July 2, 2009) – Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker and business owners from across Wake County join Shop Local Raleigh (SLR) in declaring the week of July 1-7, 2009, as Independents Week to recognize the thousands of locally owned, independent businesses that contribute significantly to the economy. Observance of this week is in conjunction with National Independents Week, recognized by cities across the United States.
During a concert event at North Hills on July 2, Mayor Meeker proclaimed July 1-7 as Independents Week, stating in his proclamation that "the health of Raleigh's economy depends on our support of businesses owned by our friends and neighbors." Meeker was joined by John Odom, representing the Shop Local Raleigh independent business alliance, and Bonner Gaylord, general manager at North Hills.
Said Meeker, "Independent businesses make Raleigh a special place and are outstanding employers. I encourage everyone to honor these businesses by shopping with them regularly."
Shop Local Raleigh is making it easier for Raleigh residents to do just that. The local first organization is challenging consumers to "Celebrate Your Independents" by visiting at least 12 different Shop Local Raleigh independent businesses between July 2 and Sept. 25. Participants who mail in a completed game card by the Sept. 25 deadline will be entered for two chances to win a $500 shopping spree. Game cards are available at most SLR member businesses while supplies last, and a printable version with more details can be found at www.shoplocalraleigh.org/independents-game.html.
"We have many reasons to celebrate the local businesses that embody entrepreneurism and individuality in our community," said Odom. "Not only do they play a major role in supporting our economy; they also collectively provide us with more choices and give Raleigh its unique character. Our citizens are integral to ensuring we keep these businesses going."
Gaylord of North Hills added, "It's important to support our locally-owned businesses because they contribute so much to our economy, continue to spend more dollars, support more charities and add more jobs in this market."
Many of the business owners who are a part of Shop Local Raleigh agree.
"As a local business owner, I really get to know my customers and their kids, and they know me," said Angela Krause, owner of dilly dally @ Oh Baby!, a children's store at North Hills. "When we go to market, we're always thinking to buy for specific customers based on their tastes and sizes. We really work hard to build relationships and trust, and that keeps our customers coming back."
Leslie Logan of Logan's Trading Company, located at Seaboard Station, points to the economic benefits that local businesses bring to the community, like job creation and keeping dollars circulating in the local economy.
"It's a challenge, especially in this economy, to have a successful business so you can keep people employed," Logan said. "When you buy from a local independent business, it has a multiplier effect. We employ local people, buy from local farmers, and source products made here in the Triangle and within the state. So when you buy locally, you're benefiting not only the family who owns the business, but more local families than you may realize."
Studies have been done in communities across the country that ask the basic question of how much of a dollar spent at a local store is re-spent in the local area. Various studies conducted by Civic Economics look at the direct, indirect and induced impacts that come from buying locally.*
A 2008 study conducted for Grand Rapids, Mich., found that if consumers were to redirect just 10 percent of their total spending from chains to locally owned businesses, the result would be $140 million in new economic activity for the region, including 1,600 new jobs and $53 million in additional payroll.
A separate study for Chicago found that spending $100 at locally owned businesses generates, on average, $68 in additional local economic activity versus only $43 dollars worth of local impact when shopping at chains.
Shop Local Raleigh is member of American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), a national organization that supports local first efforts in communities nationwide.
"Independents Week is a time to reflect on the importance of economic democracy and community self-determination by celebrating the nation's locally owned independent businesses and the stake each citizen has in shaping their hometown's future," said AMIBA director Jennifer Rockne. "Shop Local Raleigh is joining other local alliances, thousands of independent business owners and citizens across the country who are participating in this effort."
AMIBA is joined by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, the American Specialty Toy Retail Association (ASTRA), the American Booksellers Association (ABA), the Association for Enterprise Opportunity, the National Main Streets Center, and the Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS) and other concerned citizens nationwide united to celebrate Independents Week.
About Shop Local Raleigh
Shop Local Raleigh is part of a growing national movement of communities rallying to support their independent businesses. The Raleigh affiliate of AMIBA was started in April 2009 and already has approximately 100 local business members.
SLR welcomes local, independently owned businesses of all kinds. Businesses and consumers can learn more at www.shoplocalraleigh.org.
FACTS:
*Direct impact refers to money re-spent locally in the form of payroll, goods and services, purchased from area businesses, profits that go to local owners and donations to charities. Indirect impacts refer to the conventional multiplier that happens as those dollars that the local business spends at other area businesses further re-circulate. Induced impacts refer to the additional consumer spending that happens as more money flows through the local economy and people have more income.
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Aug. 29, 2010 - (By: Gary Tomlinson) "Learning from the school of hard knocks can be very informing, but often the tuition is too high! We should learn from other people's experiences." The purpose of this column is to share great business wisdom from the experiences of authors like Jim Collins, Michael Gerber, Gary Harpst, Michael LeBoeuf, Ron Willingham, Randy Pennington and others. Because when you combine great business education with your own business experiences the outcome you'll receive is far greater than the sum of its parts.