Toledo’s first Buy Local Week

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, formed in August 2007, is a non-profit dedicated to creating awareness of the importance of local, independently-owned businesses in the Toledo area.

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 :

In December 2006, Ypsilanti celebrated "Buy Local Week", with Ypsilanti Mayor Paul Schreiber leading a pledge to do all holiday shopping at local, independent stores. A "Holiday Shopping Guide" trifold was distributed with a directory of local businesses; this page is intended as the online version of that guide.

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.

Buy Local Week

The info listed on the Toledo Choose Local Web site :

Toledo’s first ever Buy Local Week will be Saturday November 24 – Saturday December 1! During this week, we encourage Toledoans to Think Local First, before going out to do their holiday shopping. What are you going to buy? Is there a place here in town that has what you are looking for? Stop there first to see what they have to offer. 40% more money stays in our community when purchases are made at independently owned businesses as opposed to national chains!

Unfortunately, the site also lists this barf :

County Commissioners to pass an official “Buy Local Week” Resolution – Coming Soon!

Symbolic horsecrap from government. Can't this be done without political officials planting their mugs and inane thoughts in front of the public? Quiet backing from government is fine, but let the businesses and the non-profit org lead this initiative. Hell, government gets involved or tries to get involved with development projects that bring national chains.

created by jr on Nov 13, 2007 at 03:58:10 pm
updated by jr on Nov 13, 2007 at 04:14:21 pm