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FRISCO — The Summit Independent Business Alliance kicks off its holiday marketing campaign and educational program — Summit Unchained — Saturday. The movement runs through Dec. 31, and it challenges the community to shift 10 percent of its purchasing power to locally owned, independent businesses. Nearly 90 Summit County businesses are participating in this year's drive for local dollars.
“The bottom line is that people are beginning to realize the importance of shopping locally, and how that helps keep your dollars close to home,” said Jeff Boyd at Peak-A-Boo Toys in Breckenridge. “It employs your neighbors, your friends, and it bonds the community by keeping us on the same team.”
Boyd said he participated last year and he saw a lot more locals come into his store.
Kula's Cafe owner Jim Curcio moved to Dillon and set up shop because he likes quaint areas with mom-and-pop shops. He also said he's a supporter of the Unchained event because it educates a lot of people about the importance of shopping in the region.
“It helps the economy locally, and when it's a small town you need it,” he said. “It helps the area thrive, and it keeps the area unique.”
A punch card for the Unchained Challenge may be picked up at any participating Summit Independent Business Alliance business. The goal for card holders is to fill up their cards by spending locally, and then they'll be entered to win prizes in early 2010. Full or partially filled cards should be turned into a participating retailer by the end of the year for a raffle.
“We debuted this program at the same time last year, and we're thrilled to discover that with only about 50 participating businesses, people changed their shopping habits by choosing local, independent shops and services over national chains and mega-retailers when they could,” said Summit Independent Business Alliance executive director Katie Roberts. “We need to keep our dollars working for us in Summit County, and this is certainly one way to do it.”
“The bottom line is that people are beginning to realize the importance of shopping locally, and how that helps keep your dollars close to home,” said Jeff Boyd at Peak-A-Boo Toys in Breckenridge. “It employs your neighbors, your friends, and it bonds the community by keeping us on the same team.”
Boyd said he participated last year and he saw a lot more locals come into his store.
Kula's Cafe owner Jim Curcio moved to Dillon and set up shop because he likes quaint areas with mom-and-pop shops. He also said he's a supporter of the Unchained event because it educates a lot of people about the importance of shopping in the region.
“It helps the economy locally, and when it's a small town you need it,” he said. “It helps the area thrive, and it keeps the area unique.”
A punch card for the Unchained Challenge may be picked up at any participating Summit Independent Business Alliance business. The goal for card holders is to fill up their cards by spending locally, and then they'll be entered to win prizes in early 2010. Full or partially filled cards should be turned into a participating retailer by the end of the year for a raffle.
“We debuted this program at the same time last year, and we're thrilled to discover that with only about 50 participating businesses, people changed their shopping habits by choosing local, independent shops and services over national chains and mega-retailers when they could,” said Summit Independent Business Alliance executive director Katie Roberts. “We need to keep our dollars working for us in Summit County, and this is certainly one way to do it.”
Local dollars
According to Roberts, with 3,000 cards circulating last year, and the average amount spent with each card being around $250, Unchained in 2008 had the potential to generate up to $750,000 for local business.Roberts however said that not all cards were turned in, so the Summit Independent Business Alliance wasn't able to accurately track how much money was spent in the challenge's inaugural year. She encourages all Unchained participants to turn in their cards this year so she can track the actual economic impact to the county.
The Summit Independent Business Alliance works to support and sustain Summit County's quality of life by preventing the displacement of locally owned independent businesses, ensuring ongoing opportunities for entrepreneurs and engaging the community.
“Summit County is a locally based community, and once you're in, you're in,” said Trish Reynolds, who co-owns 1st Class Auto Glass with her husband, Matt. “The dedication to it is just outstanding in comparison to other communities that are little more metropolitan, and local businesses are priced competitively and dedicated to service. Unchained is simply getting that message out.”
For more information about the Summit Independent Business Alliance, visit www.summitindependentbusiness.com.
