From Ward 3 Councilwoman Karin Uhlich’s newsletter:
“Buy Local Day Party on 4th Avenue – Friday, November 23 from Noon to 5:00 p.m. Next to Creative Ventures Mall (522 N. 4th Avenue). Local First Arizona invites you to kick off the “Buy Local Month” holiday shopping season during their annual Black Friday Sale. Free gift wrapping, gift certificates from local merchants and discounted shopping tokens”. More info: http://localfirstaz.com/news/local-first-arizona-holiday-shop-local-guide-tucson/

Local First Arizona (LFA) is a non-profit organization working to strengthen communities and local economies through supporting, maintaining, and celebrating locally owned businesses throughout the state of Arizona.

We educate citizens, stakeholders, business leaders, and legislators about the significant environmental, economic, and cultural benefits of strong local economies. We build vibrant communities that make residents proud to call home.

Local First Arizona was founded in 2003 named Arizona Chain Reaction. In 2007, the organization expanded, applied for 501©3 non profit status, and changed the name to Local First Arizona. The name was changed in order to better define the positive messages of buying locally and community building, which better fit the mission of the organization.

Their website lists a whole bunch of local businesses in Metro Tucson and Pima County (click here). Being as Friday is the so-called “Black Friday”, a huge shopping day prior to the winter holidays, check them out for ideas where to get great gifts.

And if you’re not on their directory, contact:
Tucson Membership Coordinator
Deanna Chevas, (520) 333-2073, deanna@localfirstaz.com

I met Deanna again recently as we were in the same group for a Tucson Planning & Development Services Dept. workshop, plus I attended a press conference back in June, 2012 about their Golden coupon offer during Independents Week (click here for previous post). I used that Golden Coupon to save 20% off while eating lunch at Delectables on 4th Avenue, which really needed our business during that Sun Link construction period.

And it’s National Buy Local month, November 23 to December 25, 2012.

Enjoy shopping on “Black Friday”.

Local First AZ (statewide group) is encouraging Arizonans to shop locally at independent businesses, during Independents Week (4th of July week), and receive discounts by downloading a golden coupon, worth 20% off at the 197 participating businesses on their website.

For Tucson & Pima County, view the list of about 40 participating businesses of this special offer:

http://www.localfirstaz.com/independents-week/golden-coupon.php

More businesses are listed on page 7 of Zocalo Magazine’s June issue. See it here.

And even more in the July/August issue of Zocalo (click here).

Some of the local participating businesses are the Loft Cinema (concessions only),Delectables Restaurant & Catering, Gloo Factory, Hotel Congress & Maynard’s Market & Kitchen, Deco: Art for Living, and Yikes Toys & Gifts.

What a great way to support our local businesses. I already printed my Golden Coupon for use all next week!

Shop locally.