Hot on the heels of Black Friday, Victoria’s Mayor, Lisa Helps, has proclaimed 29 Nov to 5 Dec the fourth annual “Think Local Week”. Our aim is to create awareness around the power we have to support our community with our shopping dollars. As customers, we are about to collectively spend a large portion of our annual shopping budget between now and Dec 31. If you join us in shifting those dollars to locally owned, independent businesses, we’ll all help generate 2-3 times as much economic activity in our community than if we had spent our money at a national chain.
Rather than simply promoting “buying” local, we are suggesting that by thinking local we can make choices that have dramatic impact on our local communities, economies, and environments. We recognize that we will rarely be able to buy everything we need or use from local independent businesses. But we are advocating that people first think local – look first for local and locally owned sources of the products they need and want – to maximize the impact of their daily actions and purchasing decisions.
Supporting local businesses allows them to support local charitable causes which need increased support during this holiday season. This may not be at the front of your mind when you are ticking off your Christmas list, but know there is a huge benefit to your community when you spend your money at local businesses.
Look for the Think Local Week posters which will be prominently displayed in our member businesses.
Photo Contest: We will once again be hosting a social media photo contest via Facebookand Twitter starting 29 Nov giving away over $1,200 in gift cards. Get your smartphone camera ready and use the hashtag #thinklocalweekyyj!
Ready to move some more of your spending to local businesses? Start with our directory of 181 member businesses at www.thinklocalvictoria.com. You can shop for your holiday feasts at Country Grocer, Red Barn Market, Tru Value Foods, Root Cellar, The Market Stores and Peppers Foods; distinctive gifts at Oscar & Libby’s, Bolen Books, Baggins Shoes, Snowdon Gourmet & Gifts, and Rogers Chocolates; decorate your home with items from Poppies Floral Art, Max Furniture, Insideout Home Store, Dig This, Patio Gardens and Capital Iron…. And that’s just the start. You’ll likely find a few more local businesses to support with your holiday dollars and all year long.
Think Local First Rewards Bonus Merits: If you are collecting Merits with Think Local First Rewards powered by Supportland, you’ll get DOUBLE the merits from 29 Nov – 5 Dec! If you would like to join, and start collecting Merits to redeem for Rewards from participating businesses – Register now and get a card from a participating business or download the app.