Main Street/Shop Local

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.

Michael Levinson does not own a business in St. Louis, but he firmly believes he has a stake in the well-being of local independent businesses. Today, he is doing all he can to help call attention to the value they bring to the community. The 24-year-old Levinson -- a self-described "regular Joe" -- grew up in St.

This Fourth of July, the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) would like consumers to celebrate America's independence in what might be a revolutionary way for some: by celebrating their local independents.

The small, unique shops and galleries of Santa Fe, New Mexico, are losing ground to the national chains, according to a recent study of independent businesses conducted by the consulting firm of Angelou Economics. Commissioned by the Santa Fe Independent Business & Community Alliance (SFIBCA), among others, the study found that "independent businesses comprise a higher share of Santa Fe's economy than the national average." To read the study click here: www.santafealliance.com.

John Hickenlooper, a successful, popular restaurant owner and developer, has become the successful and popular mayor of Denver. With no previous political experience, "not school treasurer, not dog catcher," Hickenlooper took office in July 2003, succeeding Mayor Wellington Webb.

Though the Tampa Independent Business Alliance (TIBA) is just over four months old, the seed for its creation was planted, rather aptly, during Independence Day week 2002. That's when the owners of Inkwood Books in Tampa, Florida, decided to put all of the month's Book Sense 76 titles on sale during the week of July 4 to celebrate the Independence Day holiday and to bring attention to their store as an independent business.

At the urgings of the Salt Lake Vest Pocket Business Coalition [VPBC] -- an independent business alliance with approximately 200 members -- Salt Lake County recently agreed to fund a comprehensive study on the economic impact of locally owned businesses in the Salt Lake metropolitan area. The Salt Lake County Council has committed $30,000 in 2004 for the study, which will be conducted by the University of Utah's School of Business. The school will work directly with the county council.

It may have just started gathering momentum, but the Albuquerque Independent Business Alliance (AIBA) was organized enough to hold a recent "Buy Local" shopping day. On Saturday, December 6, the fledgling group asked Albuquerque consumers to buy only at locally owned businesses.

On Saturday, December 6, Sustainable Connections (SC), a Bellingham, Washington, local-business network, will be holding a "Buy Local Day." The event kicks off a holiday season-long promotional campaign in which SC is asking Whatcom County, Washington, consumers to "Think Local, Buy Local, Be Local." Inspired by Austin Unchained, which was held November 15 and organized by the Austin Independent Business Alliance, the aim of SC's Th

On Saturday, November 15, the Austin Independent Business Alliance (AIBA) asked central Texas residents to forego chain store shopping for one day in favor of local merchants.

On November 15, the Austin Independent Business Alliance (AIBA) will ask central Texas residents to celebrate their independence by foregoing chain-store shopping for one day in favor of local merchants. Local Austin businesses organized the event, Austin Unchained, in an effort to prove that even one day of shopping at locally owned businesses would have a significant economic impact on the city of Austin.

In many communities across America, the onslaught of corporate retailers and large chains is a pressing issue for local businesses trying to remain competitive. That's certainly the case in the Phoenix metro area (which includes Glendale, Scottsdale, and Tempe), where a coalition of local businesses is seeking to change the market landscape by educating consumers and local politicians about the economic value of supporting independent businesses.