Web site : http://www.toledochooselocal.com
Toledo Choose Local
"Toledo Choose Local" is Toledo's recently-formed chapter of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE).
Toledo Choose Local is a coalition of people from local businesses and non-profits, concerned citizens and government representatives working together to strengthen the viability and competitiveness of local businesses in the Toledo area, and to promote the overall social, economic, and environmental health of our economy and communities.
Mission
The primary mission of Toledo Choose Local is to:
- Promote the growth and development of independent, locally-owned businesses in the Toledo area.
- Educate individuals, business and government about how to have a more positive impact on their community and the environment.
- Creatively alter stakeholder behavior in favor of local purchasing by consumers and businesses.
- Help inform and sustain Toledo’s unique independent business sector
Buy Local Pledge
From the Toledo Choose Local Web site :
- I pledge to think local first when seeking out a business to meet my need.
- I pledge to recommend local alternatives to others when shopping for goods and services, dining out, meeting friends, etc.
- I pledge to support my local non-profit organizations.
- I pledge to purchase local produce and other foods from local vendors whenever possible.
- I pledge that I will do my best to keep more of my hard earned dollars circulating in my community by making more purchases at local, independently-owned businesses in the Toledo area.
Local Holiday Shopping Guide?
Some weeks ago, I found this page on Arbor Wiki titled Buy Local Ypsilanti :
I'm not sure if Toledo Choose Local plans to produce a Holiday Shopping Guide that lists the local, independent stores in metro Toledo. Might be a little late for such a guide for this season, since Toledo Choose Local only officially formed a few months ago. As business membership increases, maybe a hard copy guide will be available next year.
Buy Local Week
The info listed on the Toledo Choose Local Web site :
Unfortunately, the site also lists this barf :
Symbolic horsecrap from government. Can't something be done without political officials planting their mugs and inane thoughts in front of the public? Quiet backing from government is fine, but this buy local idea better be something that's nearly 100% driven by the local business owners, concerned citizens, and the non-profit orgs.
Why is official government support needed via a useless, feel-good resolution? Too much face time from political blowhards is a turnoff. Hell, government gets involved or tries to get involved with development projects that bring in national chains. I think this buy local concept loses credibility when political knuckleheads start spouting off why they think this is a good idea, as if they have all the knowledge and therefore are more enlightened than us shlubs who, by the way, are able to figure out things on our own with the help of an org like "Toledo Choose Local."
We don't need politicians telling us what to do, and if local business owners are relying on politicians to get the message across to the public, then shame on the local business owners. Local business owners shouldn't wait for politicians. Local business owners can provide info within their businesses as to why buying from a local, independent store is important to the local economy and local charm.
Scavenger Hunt
Here's an interesting idea that can at least get people to visit a local store they have never visited before or maybe never heard of.
The Toledo Choose Local Web site contains more info about the Buy Local Week Scavenger Hunt. I see my favorite local business Phoenix Earth Food Co-Op is participating. So now here's an entertaining excuse to at least visit the co-op if you've never been there.
