Local First Arizona is excited to announce the launch of The SHIFT Campaign!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Press Conference: 10am
Launch Party: 5 – 7pm El Chorro Lodge 5550 East Lincoln Drive Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
We at Local First Arizona have been working on a new initiative called Shift Arizona. We want every single person to think about where their hard-earned dollars go when spent at locally-owned businesses and how much of an impact they make on our community. Even small changes (say, 10% of your spending) shifted to local businesses from national changes can effect HUGE positive changes in economy and lifestyle!
Join us when we formally announce this new initiative! The day begins with a press conference in the morning and the celebration continues later that day with a launch party in the Casa Paloma space at the historic El Chorro Lodge! We’ll have campaign materials and information about this important and timely movement. Enjoy complementary appetizers and soft drinks from El Chorro Lodge, along with a cash bar. Please come out to show your dedication to our community by sharing how you are going to Shift 10% of your spending to expedite our state’s economic recovery. Bring your company shirts and hats- let yourselves be seen!
Independents Week is a nationally-recognized event in support of local businesses everywhere! This year, 158 locally owned Arizona businesses have stepped up and offered the community 20% off. That’s pretty amazing, it’s no secret that the economy is currently in hangover status. But what we’ve come to realize is that these local businesses are the answer to many of our economic problems: if we support them instead of the national chains we keep tons more money in our community… three times as much, in fact.
So head on over to get your Golden Coupon on our website. Print out some coupons for yourself, friends & family, and get out there and support our local businesses and save some cash at the same time! If you have the free Local First Arizona iPhone app, you can also find the coupon there. If you want to find the businesses who are accepting the coupon in your neighborhood, you can enter your zip code on our Deals page. The 20% off coupon is only good this week, through July 4th.
Staycation has become a popular buzzword in the past several years & the concept has never been more important to Arizona. A staycation is a chance for you to become more familiar with your town, your county, your state. It gives you a chance to play tourist without getting on a plane, hiring a dog sitter and arranging to have your mail delivery stopped. Most importantly, it is a chance to keep your dollars where your home is.
Arizona’s unique terrain, outstanding amenities and world class lodging have rocketed the state to the top of people’s travel destination list for decades. If you are a resident, you have an amazing playground to explore – historic hotels, unique cultural monuments, awe inspiring geography. Arizona is home to renowned locally owned restaurants, shops and hotels that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Whether it’s a day trip to Arizona’s wine country or a weeklong adventure in the Grand Canyon, by exploring our state you are supporting our state and making sure that amenities such as the parks, libraries and senior centers are funded and that businesses in rural and urban communities are stable. Local First Arizona will be highlighting some of our favorite Arizona travel spots in the coming months, focusing on showcasing locally owned hotels, restaurants, shops & attractions.
Founded in 1864, Prescott was the Territorial capital of Arizona. Mining & cattle ranching were the main industries in the town’s early days. Mercantile industry increased with the introduction of the railroad, which also brought technology like electricity & telephones to Prescott by the late 1880’s. While the Great Fire of 1900 destroyed almost five blocks of downtown Prescott, residents showed their loyalty to Whiskey Row by moving as much liquor as they could to the Plaza where impromptu saloons were established. Prescott boasts unique architecture & works to preserve historically important structures like the Santa Fe Depot, Sam Hill Warehouse & the newly remodeled Elks Theater.
For more information on Prescott’s rich history, visit The Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W. Gurley St., 928.445.3122, www.sharlot.org
Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary houses different species of wildlife that have been displaced from zoos, were injured in the wild or were kept illegally as pets. It also acts as a sanctuary for Mexican Gray wolves waiting to be released back to the wild. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children age 3 – 12, free for children under 3. Located at 1403 Heritage Park Road, 928.778.4242
The Sharlot Hall Museum focuses on the history of Prescott. Admission is $5 for adults, free for anyone 18 & under. Located at 415 W. Gurley St, 928.445.3122
The Phippen Museum of Western Art displays artwork depicting the West. Admission is $5 for adults, free for children under 12. Located at 4701 Highway 89 North, 928.778.1385
Smoki Museum of American Indian Art & Culture focuses on educating & preserving the indigenous cultures of the Southwest. Admission is $5 for adults, free for children under 12. Located at 147 N. Arizona Ave, 928.445.1230
Fort Whipple Museum’s exhibits show the history of Fort Whipple including photographs & memoirs. Free admission. Located at 500 N. Hwy. 89, 928.445.3122
Famous residents
John Henry “Doc” Holliday – legendary gambler/gunfighter
Virgil Earp –US Marshall & Wild West hero
Mary Katherine “Big Nose Kate” Horony – common law wife of Doc Holliday
Fiorello LaGuardia – former New York Mayor whom LaGuardia Airport is named after
Alan Dean Foster – science fiction author
Ken Bennett - Arizona Secretary of State
Best kept secret
There are over 450 miles of hiking trails in and around Prescott. With over twenty parks, four lakes and six open space nature preserves, there is no shortage of outdoor fun. Park & hiking trails can be found here.
Prescott is home to several annual marathons, including Whiskey Row Marathon in April. Biking enthusiasts can enjoy the Whiskey Off-Road Marathon, a challenging annual event.
Summerevents
World’s Oldest Rodeo: This year Prescott celebrates its 123rd year as Home of the “World’s Oldest Rodeo”. Events scheduled include Professional Bull Riding, Rodeo Parade and Rodeo Dance, 5th Annual Shootout on Whiskey Row, Kiwanis Kiddie Parade, a Fine Arts & Crafts Show and appearances from Rodeo Royalty around town. Festivities culminate with a Fourth of July celebration, including a fireworks extravaganza, at Pioneer Park. Held at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds from June 28-July 4. Tickets range from $12 – $25.
2nd Annual Prescott BBQ Days: Join the finger lickin’ fun as over 30 teams of BBQ fanatics from all over the West compete for cash, trophies and bragging rights. A dinner, dance and silent auction kick off the weekend event on Friday, with the tasting and competition on the following day. Held at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds, July 10-11. Saturday adult admission is $5, which includes 2 taster tickets. Additional taster tickets are $2. Children 12 and under are free.
Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering: Enjoy songs and stories from real working cowboys/cowgirls, carrying on the traditions of Wild West. Held at Yavapai College Performance Hall, August 13-14. Tickets are $16.
Prescott Jazz Summit: Spanning three days, the 10th Annual Prescott Jazz Summit will be a jazz party of the first order with participation from musicians around the country, including Arizona’s own Dennis Rowland. Most performances held at Hassayampa Inn, August 27-29. A variety of tickets & passes are available, starting at $10.
For a complete list of events year round, click here or visit ShowUp.com.
Places to stay
Hassayampa Inn – Opened in 1927, rooms at this historic hotel start at around $89/night. Located at 122 E. Gurley St, 928.778.9434 or 800.322.1927
The Motor Lodge – Summer cabins renovated into a boutique motel, rates start at around $89/night. Located at 503 S. Montezuma St, 928.717.0157
Hotel Vendome - Built in 1917, rates start at around $79/night Located at 230 S. Cortez St, 928.776.0900 or 888.468.3583
To find more lodging options, visit the Prescott Area Lodging Association’s website and the Prescott B&B Association’s website.
Places to eat
Prescott Brewing Company– Award winning micro brews & a wide variety of pub fare. Open for lunch & dinner. Located at 130 W. Gurley St, 928.771.2795
Pearl’s Place Café – Home cooking, featuring BBQ. Open for lunch & dinner. Located at 150 S. Montezuma St, 928.541.0006
Peacock Dining Room – Fine dining in a historic setting. Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Located in the Hassayampa Inn, 122 E. Gurley St, 928.778.9434 or 800.322.1927
To find more locally owned dining options, visit the Prescott Area Independents’ website.
Places to shop
Van Gogh’s Ear – Featuring traditional art, jewelry, sculpture & ceramics. Open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Located at 156B S. Montezuma St, 928.776.1080
Edelweiss – Clothing, accessories & gifts with a European touch. Located at 113 W. Goodwin St, 928.771.7574
Armadilla Wax Works – Candles galore, designed and hand-poured in Prescott. Located at 103 N. Cortez St, 928.772.1898
Hop Sing Trading Company – Unique items abound in this vintage/consignment shop. Located at 130 W. Gurley St, 928.899.3620
Places to enjoy
Elks Theatre – Film festivals, concerts, plays & performances are among the events being held at this historic Opera house. Located at 117 E. Gurley St, 888.858.ELKS
Sundance’s – Northern Arizona’s self proclaimed Rock n’ Roll Dive, featuring local & nationally touring bands on the weekends. Located at 114 N. Montezuma St, 928.778.5584
Prescott Mayor Marlin D. Kuykendall’s 10 favorite places
Yavapai County Courthouse square
Antelope Hills Golf Course
Watson Lake Park
Granite Dells trails and pathways
Thumb Butte Recreational Area
World’s Oldest Rodeo – Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo
Check out the video below of Kimber Lanning and Andi Barness giving love to Arizona’s mom & pop businesses, announcing a new ongoing feature called “Local Shoutout.” Every Monday you can tune in to Sonoran Living and learn about more of the valley’s locally owned businesses! Superstition Farm is the first featured business… check that place out, it’s amazing!
We think these posters are pretty cool and we’ve already mailed a few out to other folks. If you’d like a 20.5 x 24.5 poster to display, let me know! We can also insert your city’s name and send you a PDF (sorry, can’t print one for you!). Email me with your city and which images you would like and I’ll get them to you as soon as I can.
Our very own Kimber Lanning was interviewed yesterday on KFNN 1510 Financial News Radio’s “Business for Breakfast” with Ken Morgan & Julie Dougherty. She spoke about the importance of supporting local as well as the upcoming Independence Week. You can check it out here!
A study released today found that SCF Arizona, the state’s largest workers’ compensation insurer, had a $528.3 million economic impact in Arizona in 2009.
The Phoenix company sourced 82 percent of its goods and services from other Arizona companies, according to the study released by Local First Arizona, a nonprofit that encourages Arizona businesses and residents to buy locally.
Arizonans are increasingly passionate about supporting the local economy. We’ve decided to help out by highlighting some of our members who have online shopping carts (and some of their favorite affordable items!) so you can check out the wide range of products that Arizona has to offer! This list will be continuously updated, so bookmark and check back often.
Click on the images to go to the businesses website
EJConfections…The Best Truffle You’ll Ever Taste. Ranging from Simply Chocolate to an expanding repertoire of exotic flavors that take indulgence to an unsurpassed level. Shop Online Today!
Get the perfect engagement ring at Joseph Schubach Jewelers. Browse through hundreds of styles and thousands of diamonds in our online store. Also, check out the many diamond alternatives and custom jewelry options.
Cyclists, keep your tires inflated with this solid floor pump from Paragon Cycling!
Need a birthday gift for someone who has everything? Want to say congratulations in a unique way? Julia Baker Confections‘ boxed chocolates make the perfect gift for every person on your list. Even if that person is you.
Locally handmade soaps in tea tree-rosemary, lemongrass-ginger, sweet orange-clove, and eucalyptus-lime made with organic oils, 100% plant-based ingredients, and lots of love! $33 value just $30 for Strawberry Hedgehog’s best selling soaps.
Arizona Native ~ Arizona Company ~ Arizona Products since 2001! Click or call to send a delicious Arizona-made gift basket, like our Taste of Arizona Gift Basket (in a variety of sizes) – across town or across the continent!
Want to go green with your gift wrap and snail mail? Buy fun and stylish recycled/recyclable cards and wrapping paper from Ecosaurus. (Shown: Interactive Boxed Set)
Shop online at Dog-Eared Pages Used Books and pick-up your books at the store or we’ll ship them to you!
Kokopelli’s Kitchen is offering our Foods of the Southwest Gift Basket for $34.95 (regularly $39.95) – the basket contains Kokopelli’s Cook Book & four authentic southwest ingredients needed to prepare some of the recipes.
Enjoy a bag of Cinnamon Pecans, as well as a 12 ounce box of assorted chocolates from Cerreta’s Fine Chocolates, and four assorted Sprites brownies from Fairytale Brownies… all local favorites put together by Zonie Baskets! $30
Purchase a two-year subscription to Edible Phoenixmagazine ($56) and receive a free copy of the book Edible: A Celebration of Local Food
Get started brewing with the Tea Starter Kit ($24.99) from Souvia Tea!
Sphinx Ranch Gourmet Gift Market is offering their Nut Lovers Delight gift basket (roasted & salted Arizona Pistachios, Arizona Pecans, Cashews, Almonds, & Mixed Nuts) for $40 (regularly $48)
Clean floors using only water with the MicroFiber SmartMop bundle for only $33.99 from SwedeClean.com! Mention that you saw it through Local First Arizona and get the shipping refunded (Phoenix residents only)!
Find unique jewelry, chimes and gifts hand-crafted in Tucson by Kira Geddes
at CasaKira
Grab a 12 oz bag of Black Market Espresso from Arizona coffee roasters Cartel Coffee Lab!
“With caramel notes, milk chocolate, and grapefruit, you will not forget this coffee in a macchiato or true cappuccino!”
Total MissFIT was created to provide a single place to shop for the best female-specific outdoor recreation and fitness gear. MissFITs are into all sorts of activities so we sell everything from yoga gear and fitness/dance poles to skateboards, backpacks, sleeping bags, and tents. Get your gear here!
In addition to twisted wire bracelets and lampwork beads (see image), Twisted Sisters’ Designs also work in enamels, chainmaille, fused glass, painted silk scarves, resin, Precious Metal Clay, and soldered pieces, resulting in beautiful, one-of-a-kind necklaces, bracelets, earrings, beaded accessories, silk scarves, and rings.
Rub a Dub Baby Luv offers locally handmade skin care for baby and Mom! Our Baby Bubbles Shampoo and Body Wash uses the calming essential oils of lavender and chamomile to turn any bath into a relaxed bonding experience. This foaming gel is sulfate and paraben free, plus certified vegan too!
Why are Arizona Sun® Skin Care products so ideal? Because they were developed in Arizona, where we enjoy bright sunshine almost every day of the year– ideal conditions for skin care and tanning research.
Humble Seed specializes in premium garden seed kits that are packaged and themed for convenience and ease!
Enjoy a flavorful, healthful glass of fresh-brewed Passion Fruit Iced Tea anytime! Shop our site for flavorful blends of iced and hot teas blended right here in Arizona!
The Mother-Daughter team of GoodyTwos Toffee Company joyfully blends traditional small batch recipes with a fun twist! The perfect indulgence to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Great for Thank you, Birthday, Holiday & Corporate Gifting
~ Lantana Ranch Organics – Organic & Natural Products for Everyday Living – where Earth touches Life~
10% of our profits go directly to fighting cancer locally through our support of the Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson
Welcome your new neighbors or guests (or just treat yourself!) with this
gorgeous fair trade, hand made shopping tote filled with the most amazing
products from local Arizona businesses, from Good Gifts Naturally!
Organic Harvest Hot Sauces, made in Arizona, are fiery and full of flavor. Try the gift set for only $9.99! Shop our site for thousands of organic and natural products shipped right to your door from shopOrganic.com.
Available from GoGo Natural, Fuzzi Bunz One-Size Pocket Diapers are the easy modern cloth diaper to save money & the environment from birth to potty training!
A two-time, international award winner… right in our own back yard! Now with true, all-natural shampoos that work! Two healthy formulas. $23.90. Combos and trials available, too, from NaturOli
You can pick up a 6 pack of logo pint glasses from Four Peaks Brewery, a true Arizona favorite! $30
For every 1 year subscription sold to Arizona Highways Magazine, $5 is donated to the Arizona State Parks Foundation!
A fragrant moisturizer and shower scrub in one! 3 jars of LaLicious Sugar Souffle Scrub Set for only $28 from Beauty at Skin Deep
Recreate Captain Kidd’s infamous pirate ship! Available from Hobby Action for only $25.99
100% Natural long lasting dog chew, no splinters! Wild deer shed their antlers once a year as part of a natural process, after which the deer re-grow another set. The antlers are cut to size, cleaned, and packaged. No plastic or chemicals, rich in calcium and phosphorus! $35.50 from Doggie Style
Pick up the latest book from your favorite author (ebooks also available!) from Changing Hands Bookstore
Shop CRIZMAC’s Art & Cultural Education catalog for beautiful works, including Mexican folk art!
Check out some of the employees’ favorite products from Frances Vintage!
Many concerns that I’ve heard about the difficulty of shopping locally can be summed up as “local businesses are hard to find and cost more than [insert chain here].” Yeah, sometimes chains can undercut prices on certain items and also have the advantage of national branding/advertising. This certainly doesn’t mean that they’re always cheaper or better. Last summer we began working with HyLo to develop a location-based mobile application that gives local businesses the opportunity to 1. Be Found and 2. Promote Specials & Events. The cool thing about this is how varied Local First Arizona businesses are; you can open this app and see anything from coffee deals to book promotions to floor cleaning to PR/marketing offers. It really showcases the Arizona that we all know and love, all of the things that really distinguish Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, et al. from other US cities.
When you first open the app, you see promotions & events near you
Promotions & Events
So how does this thing work? It’s basically split into a couple of different sections. When you first open the app, you see any promotions or events running in your area. You can tap on anything that interests you to get more info on it. Or you can rotate your phone horizontally to get a map view; on that screen you can choose as many things as you want and map all of the businesses locations at once. The businesses themselves can post these deals in no time flat on their computer… we envision things like a business having a slow day, posting a deal like “Next three people to come in and mention LFA get a half-price coffee” or something. Anyone nearby who looks at the app will see that deal pop up seconds after the business posts it. We think this is an incredibly convenient tool for both the business and the customer!
The directory is the same as our online directory, only mobile and with the availability to call the business or check out their website with a single tap
Local Directory
The other main feature of the app is the directory. This is basically the directory you see on our website in mobile form, only with more general categories. So if you’re looking for a locally-owned restaurant to check out, you would tap “Food & Dining” and then choose a category like “Italian”, “Mexican”, etc… you know, whatever you’re in the mood for. Then you’ll get an alphabetical list of those restaurants, all locally-owned. (Note: we’re developing the directory to also be location-based so that the list will be ordered by those nearest you. Look for that feature in an upcoming update)
Flip your phone horizontal to get the map view
The big plan is to share this app with other Buy Local and Local First organizations around the country. Ideally, you could use this same app and go to Buffalo, NY, where it would pull from their membership data and you would instantly have a list of all of the locally-owned (i.e. where the locals shop and eat).
We also plan on working to develop this for other mobile platforms such as Android, Palm Pre, and more. In addition, HyLo has created a widget that will display all of the deals and events posted by the businesses on any web browser. You can enter your zip code and adjust the radius to see all of the happenings in your area. We will be implementing this on our website as well as sharing it with other sites and blogs who have an interest in supporting local businesses. This also means that you should be able to view the deals on any mobile browser on platforms that we have not developed for.
Update: The widget is live over on our site. Check it out, let us know what you think! If you’re interested in hosting this widget that shows deals and events from locally-owned businesses on your own site or blog, let me know and I’ll get you the code.
Your comments, suggestions, and total disses are welcome. We really want your feedback to make this truly a community effort! Let your favorite Local First businesses know that you want to see their deals posted! Tell non Local First businesses what we’ve got going on! We want to make it as convenient as possible to find what you’re looking for from a locally-owned source, and we hope this app makes it a little easier.
Tap on any promotions that interest you
to get the details
You can use this screen to edit the search criteria
It’s that time of year, where we the public get a chance to cast our votes for our favorite spots in AZ! We at Local First Arizona want to congratulate all of our members who were nominated, for not only being awesome at whatever they were nominated for but also for being committed to our local economy! Check out some of the businesses below to find out what all of the talk is about…
DINING & FOOD
Best Dessert
Deep Dish Apple Pie – Bill Johnson’s Big Apple Restaurants