Tuesday March 19, 2024
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The surest way to create more and better jobs in Greater Louisville is for those of us who live and work here to buy locally whenever possible. To be clear, Louisville (like every region) is at its best when its local businesses are thriving and providing good jobs. The impact of local people patronizing locally-owned businesses simply can’t be overstated.

Studies indicate that independent and locally owned retailers and restaurants return about 55 percent of all their revenue to the local economy. Research by business data company Civic Economics suggests the large big-box chain stores recirculate only about 13 percent of their revenue within the local markets that host its stores. While local independent businesses are usually easy to identify, it is important to remember that many of the smaller nationally-branded chains are actually operated by locally-based franchisees and appreciate your support.

Of course, most of our locally owned businesses are also small businesses. There are about 57,000 businesses in the Louisville MSA with the vast majority locally-owned small businesses and proprietorships. These local small business owners and their employees are our neighbors, community volunteers and youth league coaches.

Though a shopper may occasionally save money by purchasing from big national chains, there are tradeoffs to consider. Consider the added cost placed on the environment when we purchase items that are produced faraway, then transported to this area. Food shipped cross-country carries a much greater environmental impact than food grown on a nearby farm. And who could ever argue against the taste of locally grown farm products when compared to canned goods or produce shipped in from the coasts?   Continue reading

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer today announced the ABCs of Buying Local social media campaign. The campaign aims to increase dollars spent locally during the holiday season.

Starting this week, various business groups are being featured thorough the holidays, with A for Arts on Monday; B for Bourbon on Tuesday, and C for Chocolate on Wednesday. The campaign runs through Friday, December 23.

“It’s true that from A-Z, Louisville small businesses have something to offer everyone,” said Fischer. “From local restaurants that sell farm-raised, Kentucky Proud products to your favorite locally-brewed cup of coffee, Louisville’s small business shopping experience is second to none.”

Follow Louisville Forward on Twitter (@LouForward) and Instagram (@LouisvilleForward) to find out each day’s category.

The public is encouraged to join in the fun by sharing their favorite local gift giving ideas and favorite local places to shop using #BuyLocalLou.

A recent study of Louisville-area businesses shows that for every $100 spent at a locally owned, independent business, $55 is reinvested locally. By shopping local, consumers also help to preserve the unique community character of the Metro Louisville area.

LIBAThe Louisville Independent Business Alliance (LIBA) will host the 7th Annual Buy Local Fair on Sunday, May 17 from 12:00pm6:00pm at The Louisville Water Tower Park. Admission is free and parking is $5 per vehicle, or free for bicycle parking.

The fair will feature a marketplace of more than 180 booths from local businesses, musicians, artist and craftspeople, chefs, community organizations, and farmers. The event will also include a craft beer tent sponsored by ValuMarket, 14 food trucks, two cooking competitions, a silent auction area, and the H2O Kid’s Zone sponsored by Louisville Water Company.

This year’s cooking competitions include the Fleur de Lis Food Fight featuring a showdown between defending champion Sous Chef Cody Stone from Decca and Sous Chef James Moran from Seviche. The chefs will be given a basket of mystery ingredients and have 30 minutes to create a dish for a panel of judges. The Iron Shroom competition, sponsored by Magnificent Mushrooms, will challenge Josh Lehman of Holy Grale and Jonathan Exum of Wiltshire on Market to see who can create the most magnificent mushroom dish on the spot.

New to the event this year is The Back Porch, an area located on the back patio of the Louisville Water Tower with beautiful river views. This area is geared towards the grown-ups and will offer a place to relax in handmade patio furniture from Amish Hills and to enjoy bourbon, brandy and cigars available for purchase.

The mission of the Buy Local Fair is to provide a venue that fosters cooperation, cross-pollination and strength in numbers for locally-owned, independent entities. By bringing together customers of various businesses, farms, craftspeople and bands unique to the Louisville-area, we expose a variety of endeavors to new audiences and increase business for all.

The 2015 Buy Local Fair Sponsors are Louisville Metro Council, Amish Hill Furniture, DMLO CPAs, Eclipse Bank, Rainbow Blossom Natural Food Markets, VO2 Multisport, ValuMarket, Carmichael’s Bookstore, Louisville Water Co., Louisville Magazine, Louisville.com, Louisville Public Media, LEO Weekly, The Trend Appliances, Oak Street Productions, YELP Louisville, Maloney Outdoor Advertising and Heaven Hill Brands.

About the Louisville Independent Business Alliance (LIBA)
Celebrating 10 Years of Weird in 2015, LIBA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the unique community character of the Metro Louisville area by promoting locally-owned businesses and to educate citizens on the value of buying locally. For more information about LIBA, visit www.keeplouisvilleweird.com.  

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