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.
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!
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
On February 1st and 2nd of 2010, renowned New York economist Michael Shuman spoke to two full houses in Phoenix and Tucson about the importance of supporting local economies. This is the full recording of his talk in Tucson, recorded by Amanda Shauger of locally-owned radio station KXCI in Tucson.
This past weekend was the first annual Devoured Culinary Classic at the Phoenix Art Museum, and it was an absolute success by all accounts! Put together by Devour Phoenix (a restaurant coalition formed under the umbrella of Local First Arizona), R Entertainment, and the Phoenix Art Museum, Devoured aimed at showcasing the best chefs and restaurants that the valley has to offer, with foods being paired with local wines and beers. With so many great talents in our own backyard, Devoured proved that you don’t need to import national talents to have an incredibly successful event!
But don’t take our word for it, check out what the bloggers and critics had to say:
Thursday, February 18, 2010
11 a.m. Calvin Charles Gallery 4201 N. Marshall Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Members, Bring Your Banners for the Cameras!
U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell and Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane will join Local First Arizona, the Scottsdale Gallery Association and Scottsdale tourism and business leaders for a press conference to announce support of locally owned Scottsdale businesses. Local First is increasing its efforts to encourage Arizonans to support local, home grown restaurants, shops and businesses which generates a greater economic impact on the local economy.
As part of the announcement, Local First Arizona will unveil its first Small Wonders map of locally owned retail shops and restaurants in Scottsdale. The Scottsdale edition joins the Phoenix and Tempe maps already in circulation. Additionally, in an effort to encourage Arizonans to support local restaurants and businesses, Mitchell will tour the Scottsdale Art Walk Thursday evening.
“In these difficult economic times it is more important than ever to support our local businesses,” Mitchell said. “Buying local means strengthening our local economy, creating local jobs, and ensuring local, more sustainable economic development in our community. As we continue towards economic recovery it is important to help make Arizonans aware of the increased impact they can have on their communities by supporting local businesses.”
Every local news station covered our Buy Local Week press conference and we are expecting a great turnout for this press conference as well. We invite our members to bring banners or signs to hold up behind the podium for the news cameras. It’s a great opportunity to get your business in front of the local news media!
Join us this Thursday to show your support! Please plan to arrive by 10:30 a.m. if you would like to participate in the press conference. Feel free to contact Helene with any questions at helene@localfirstaz.com.
The November issue of Phoenix Magazine begins its highlights of 130 Local First Arizona business members.
If you missed the article in print, read their story online. Just in time for holiday shopping and don’t forget to buy yourself something!
Make the Shift
Their “Make the Shift” article also has great pointers on moving your spending into the local economy. Just a small change in your buying habits makes a big difference!
Local First Arizona has recently been working with developers moBistro to bring the Valley’s favorite restaurants to the mobile platform. Now you’ll be able to peruse menus, view photos, and read about the chef before you even step through the door! Call them straight from the same site to place your reservations before using the map to find your way there.
Simply enter the URL into your mobile web browser to check it out! We’ll be adding many more to the list, so check back if you don’t find your favorites yet!
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