While many were disappointed by this week's election results, the local businesses of Hudson, Ohio, were very happy with the way at least one vote turned out. Residents of historic Hudson made crystal clear their support of local merchants and voted down Issue 25 -- which sought to change local zoning laws to increase the allowable square footage of retail stores -- by a resounding margin of two to one, according to Liz Murphy of the Learned Owl Bookshop in Hudson.

Southampton, New York, on the eastern end of Long Island, is a seaside town with a unique flair often associated with small villages where local, independent shops rule the roost. Part of its charm certainly lies in the fact that the town "has been spared a lot of superstore development," said Kathryn Szoka, co-owner of Canio's Books in Sag Harbor, one of the six incorporated villages of Southampton. And, according to Szoka, the community wants to keep it that way.

On Thursday, October 21, Civic Economics released a new, in-depth local economic impact study, "The Andersonville Study of Retail Economics," that once again clearly illustrates that local merchants contribute significantly more money to the local economy than do retail chains.

On Saturday, November 20, the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) wants people to shop only at locally owned retailers in their communities. The nationwide event, America Unchained, evolved out of Austin Unchained, the Austin Independent Business Alliance's (AIBA) event held last November, said Jennifer Rockne, AMIBA director. "Last November, [AIBA] did this, and it was very successful -- they received a lot of great press, so we thought we'd do another [nationwide event] ...

The theme of this year's Great Lakes Booksellers Association fall trade show was "Making It on Main Street," and the GLBA plenary session on Sunday, October 10, focused on building local alliances to strengthen Main Street businesses.

This November 2, while people across the country take their turn casting a ballot for the next U.S. president, residents and merchants of Hudson, Ohio, will be asked to cast their vote on another matter that could significantly impact their future.

By Chuck Robinson

From Thursday, July 1, through Wednesday, July 7, independent businesses all over the country celebrated Independents Week, a national promotion to educate the public on the importance of shopping at their local, independent businesses. The event was organized by the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) -- a national outreach networking hub and resource center for independent business alliances (IBAs) and independent businesses.

Some 228 years ago this July 4, a coalition of independent thinkers raised the awareness of Americans, loyalists, and King George by penning the Declaration of Independence. And while independent business alliances and retailers across the nation aren't looking to do something so grandiose as declare their independence from a tyrannical king, this Fourth of July week, they are looking to raise the awareness in their respective communities regarding the intrinsic and economic value of their local independent businesses by celebrating Independents Week.