Celebrating Arizona’s Statehood By Shopping Local
Every Valentine’s Day, Arizonans celebrate not just their loved ones but also their state’s birthday. Arizona Statehood Day falls on February 14th, commemorating the territory’s official admission as the 48th U.S. state in 1912.
Anyone who calls Arizona homes appreciates its unique beauty and character, and at Local First Arizona, we recognize that the spirit of the state is reflected by its local entrepreneurs. Arizona’s small businesses are a vital ingredient of the state’s overall economy, creating jobs and generating revenue at a pace that ranks the state in the top 10 for local business growth in the country.
As we mark our statehood, it only makes sense to highlight local businesses that celebrate the state every day, in their own unique way.
Explore the Verde Canyon from the comfort of a well-appointed railcar encased in windows for optimal viewing of the scenery on either side of the vintage train. Choose from a variety of excursions and special events, settle in and relax as the train chugs through a 40-mile trip, complete with individually packaged charcuterie-inspired snacks. Verde Canyon Railroad even offers an opportunity to ride shotgun with the train’s engineer as part of an exclusive experience aboard the rare FP7 locomotive.
Formerly known as the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park, the S’edav Va’aki Museum in Phoenix consists of an archaeological site, an artifact repository and a museum. The campus is seated within the ruins of a 1,500-year-old Hohokam village. Visitors will learn about the history, ethnology and cultural practices of the tribes that have inhabited the Southwest.
A Goodyear father-son blacksmith duo has created a line of hand-forged, naturally non-stick carbon steel skillets that are lighter than cast iron and will last long enough to be handed down. The pair has forged other kitchen necessities, including scoops, skewers and an Arizona-shaped bottle opener.
Artist Julie Bonner wanted to teach her son about the critters that call Arizona home, so she created the Addy Award-winning Desert Dwellers flash cards. Creating the pack allowed Julie to blend her fine art skills with her commercial design experience, and offered a fun entryway for kids to learn about the birds, lizards and spiders that call the desert home.
For those who worked in the field or those who only ever dreamed of it, the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting honors a profession made up of everyday heroes. From uniforms to gear to artwork and a hall of firefighting honors, the museum celebrates the selfless careers of firefighters across the country and even includes vehicles and antique helmets from around the world.
Tucked inside the MSA Annex in Tucson and at Epicenter in Agritopia, this local shop is more than a retail location — it’s a movement. It began with a commitment from owner and Tucson resident Kristin Tovar to find one thing she loves about where she lives every day. That effort blossomed into a destination that helps Arizonans celebrate their love for where they live.
Visitors and locals alike could sometimes benefit from a guided tour of Arizona’s hidden gems, from Monument Valley to Antelope Canyon to the red rocks of Sedona and the massive expanse of the Grand Canyon. Across Arizona Tours, based in Phoenix, offers guided van tours of some of the most picturesque areas of the state. Tours depart from Phoenix and can be reserved for one or two days.
With locations in Tempe and Phoenix, the 50-year-old Changing Hands Bookstore is an iconic and welcoming destination for Valley bibliophiles looking to add to their bookshelves at home. It’s also where readers will find books by local authors, including “Off the Air: A Mystery” by NPR reporter Christina Estes and “Awesome Arizona: 200 Amazing Facts About The Grand Canyon State” by Roger Naylor, an accomplished Arizona travel writer.
Founded by two Arizona moms, Retail Therapy AZ offers local makers and local business owners a space to sell their goods — with multiple locations across the Valley. The duo has created a local Arizona gift box that features eight handcrafted items from Arizona small businesses, making it an ideal way to celebrate the state and its entrepreneur community.
Tune in to Arizona Family’s 3TV or CBS 5 this Friday, February 14 (Arizona State Day!) at 3:35 p.m. for a segment spotlighting these standout local Arizona businesses.