Live in the Chicago area?

join local first chicago!

Local First Chicago is a network of locally owned, independent businesses and community organizations joined together to keep money and character in our neighborhoods and build a thriving local living economy.

Click on this link to find out more about how you can join their efforts to make your shopping this holiday season count!

feel good about the economic crisis

Before you run off to spend your holiday dollars in discount outlets and chain stores ....
find out how you can increase the equity in your home and in your community.

intricately tied : residents & businesses

Although residents enjoy the vibrancy of their communities, they often don’t realize how purchasing decisions are tied to the success & character of the neighborhoods in which they live.

In this economic downturn, the holiday season has the opportunity to create a much needed boost to struggling local businesses. The residents, however, have many other shopping options, including both online & regional draws.

This presents a unique opportunity to again re-connect and re-vitalize the relationships between small business and the residents which live near them, making people aware of the benefits and impact of spending their holiday dollars where it matters most.

the impact : what holiday dollars can do

According to the American Research Group, the average American plans to spend around $430 dollars this year on holiday shopping, a drop in over 50% from the 2007 holiday season.

Although much lower than last year, this still equates to a significant amount of spending over the next month :

example: (10,000 people) x ($430) = ($4,300,000)
(community population) x (spending per person) = (community holiday dollars spent)

How could this money positively influence the community in which you live, work, and play?

- Increase the Tax Base
- Increase Resident Property Value through thriving Business Districts
(less vacancies / vibrant businesses = area more attractive in real estate market)
- Support local families / Community businesses
- Choose a sustainable solution - reduce carbon footprint of shipping or traveling to buy

the message: how can we convey this?

So how do you make people aware of the benefits to themselves & their community when they spend their dollars where they live?

You tell them.

It means simply making the residents aware that shopping with local businesses this holiday season will ensure that their community remains a great place to live.

the action: how can we do this?

Ideas and agreement won't get you anywhere without the ability to take action.

Please use the documents I've created to make this issues come alive in your community.

- The Concept - An overview of issues and solutions
- Getting Started - A step by step guide to creating a ShopCommunity campaign where you live.
- Brochure - A document intended to be easily customized to your community, just modify - print - and fold!
- Store Sign - A ready-to-print logo to be hung in store windows & used on promotional graphics
- Sticker - A vector image which can be used to order custom stickers

Pass documents along to local Chambers of Commerce, pass the message to everyone you know.