Independent Business Alliance Looks to BUILD St. Louis

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. Louis, and, after graduating from Georgetown University, came home determined to create a business model that would be an "agent of positive change." After reading about the Boulder Independent Business Alliance (BIBA) in the Utne Reader, Levinson knew exactly what that model would be: an independent business alliance (IBA), and BUILD St. Louis -- Businesses United for Independent Local Development (http://buildstlouis.org/) was born.

BUILD officially launched in January 2004, but Levinson began doing the footwork a year ago. "I was going around and telling local business owners that I wanted to start BUILD St. Louis," he reported. "And eight or nine businesses said yes. It's interesting that two of those were independent bookstores: Subterranean Books and Left Bank Books." Today, the group has approximately 60 members.

Subterranean co-owner Kelly Von Plonski told BTW, "There are a lot of chains [in the St. Louis area]. BUILD wants to have people focus on independents, that this is what makes part of the neighborhood great. Fortunately, there are a lot of neighborhood shopping areas." Von Plonski noted that many local businesses closed down in the 1960s and '70s. "But there is still that infrastructure," she said.

While BUILD is following the lead of alliances such as BIBA and the Austin Independent Business Alliance -- two groups that have garnered a great deal of media attention in the past -- Plonski acknowledged that trying to get BUILD press coverage has been difficult. The community radio station, KDHX, has been supportive, however, and the group plans to participate in the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA)'s Independents Week, which is scheduled for July 1 - 7, something Plonski expects will warrant press coverage from the local media.

BUILD will kick off Independents Week on July 1. Schlafly's, a St. Louis brewery, is "donating a room at the Tap Room [pub]," said Levinson. "There will be local bands ... all [BUILD] members will be donating an item, and we'll conduct a silent auction." Half of the night's proceeds will go to BUILD and the other half to a charity yet to be determined. "We are hoping to do a different event at each [member] store," he added.
In addition to Independents Week, BUILD will release its "Buying Guide" at the end of May or the beginning of June, which will then be published twice a year, Plonski said. "We'll also hold quarterly socials for members … to network."

At present, Levinson volunteers his time to run BUILD, and, in the meantime, makes his living as a consultant for a company called Energy Solutions. However, it is hoped that eventually he will be hired on a full-time basis, said Plonski, which would suit Levinson just fine. "This is my dream job," he said, noting that BUILD allows him to combine his business skills and his love for community activism.

Levinson said he hopes that BUILD's logo will indicate to the consumer that there is a social criterion as well as the traditional business criteria inherent in purchasing from a locally owned business. "When you see this [logo], it means better service, higher quality, competitive prices, and that, for every dollar you spend, 45 cents goes back into the community -- three times as much as the chains," he explained. "[The logo says] you are supporting uniqueness, vibrancy, local entrepreneurial talent, and the environment." --David Grogan