News for the ‘Buying Local’ Category
http://www.community-store.org/
Three cheers to Saranac Lake for turning a dream of having a community owned department store into a reality, the first in the state.
Located at 97 Main St., the Community Store is now open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
It’s heartening to see a community rally around preserving its small-town spirit. Since the official Grand Opening on Nov. 19, the town has been receiving lots of accolades in the local and national media.
Here are a few of the links:
U.S. Rep. Bill Owens tours the store (NCPR): http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/18822/20111123/owens-adds-to-community-store-accolades
The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/13/business/a-town-in-new-york-creates-its-own-department-store.html?pagewanted=all
CBS’ Early Show: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7389401n&tag=mncol;lst;2
As the holidays approach, we are surrounded by advertising and calls to buy new gadgets and mass-produced things, but how about a different approach this year? One that supports local jobs in your community:
Think outside the (big) box
Instead of buying stuff, how about considering services that support local people in our communities:
Salon: Everyone gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates for your local hair salon or barber?
Gym membership: Appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.
Taking care of the car: Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed? Detail shops and car washes make great gift certificates. Even an oil change at a local shop would be an appreciative gift.
Other ideas: Perhaps a grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course. How about putting together a box of locally made goodies, such as candy, fudge, cheeses or craft-brewed beer or locally made wine?
Out on the town: Many owner-run restaurants offer gift certificates. And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn’t about big national chains –this is about supporting your home town restaurant owners.
House cleaning: Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would love having a local cleaning service for a day.
Electronic upgrades: Instead of junking the old and buying new, can you use the services of a local repair shop to upgrade your old computer?
Handmade: For something more personal, look for local crafts people who spin wool and knit scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Outings: Treat your loved ones to a holiday outing, seeing a play or ballet or a concert.
Note: The following was adapted from an email that’s been circulating. Have any more suggestions? Share them with us at mhart@adirondack.org.
Now in its 26th year, Adirondack North Country Association’s annual gift products trade show connects regional artisans to area shop owners.
Our goal is to raise $100,000 from individuals and businesses by the end of 2011. We are well on our way – but we need your help to get us over the top.
Join our network by giving online here or by printing and mailing this form
With our networks of partners across the region, ANCA has identified four project areas to help transform our region and localize our economies:
- Food: Uniting the emerging local food economy through mapping the key players and identifying gaps in the system
- Energy: Expanding the region’s capacity to meet its own energy needs by bringing thermal biomass resources and programs to pilot communities
- Work: Creating a dynamic support network for entrepreneurs
- Identity: Launching an Adirondack Branding Initiative
Read about our work in the region and our goals for the upcoming year in the newsletter here
We invite you to join us as we begin this exciting work throughout the region.
Hop to it: Back in the day, New York State was a leader in hops production, a crucial ingredient in certain types of beer. Saranac Brewery is helping to revive the centuries-old tradition, with a new beer recently brewed with locally sourced hops. Friends of the brewery joined in the harvest during a hops picking session at Wrobel Farms, outside of Utica in Bridgewater. Hopefully this will foster a stronger movement for more local beer….
Good news to report from the 25th annual Buyer Days gift products trade show: 135 shops (with a total of 231 owners and staff) came to see 71 vendors over a two-day period at the City Center in Saratoga Springs on April 6 and 7.
This was an increase from 121 shops last year, according to organizer Nadia Korths.
The average total in sales per vendor was $2,512 (based on reports from vendors disclosed in post-show survey).
From those numbers, Korths estimates that the total dollars in sales at the show was $175,840.
Shops have increased their reorders after the show from 2.6 shops after the 2009 show to 3.5 shops per vendor after the 2010 show, a sign that the region’s tourism economy has started to improve, Korths reported.
The success is bittersweet for those involved with the show, as this year marks the last as organizer for Korths, who is moving on after 15 years with ANCA. She received a sweet send-off during the show, with a cake provided by the City Center and thank-you cards and gifts from show participants.
She’s enjoyed working with area artisans and product buyers around the region. Korths is further developing her own business of making and selling abstract relief prints. People can follow her progress at www.nadiakorths.com. She will also continue to help microbusinesses through her work with ComLinks and its Women’s Entrepreneurial Business Center, doing counseling and workshops regarding the art and science of marketing.
Dates for the 2012 Buyer Days are tentatively scheduled for April 4-5 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.