Group, Councilwoman Uhlich want shoppers to buy local
by Teya Vitu on Nov. 12, 2008, under Edge, Local
Uhlich created a steering committee in Tucson that resulted in establishing a local chapter of <a href="http://localfirstaz.com/">localfirstaz.com</a>,
There can be more to holiday shopping, in the eyes of Local First Arizona and City Councilwoman Karin Uhlich, than checking all the big-box stores.
Uhlich and Local First have teamed up in recent months to promote shopping at area-owned stores. At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Uhlich will proclaim the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 28, also known as Black Friday, as Buy Local Day.
The idea is to add area-owned shops into the rounds, said Lisette DeMars, membership coordinator for the Tucson chapter of Local First Arizona, a 5-year-old Phoenix-based organization devoted to raising awareness of the economic value of local shops.
“With the economy the way it is, it’s important to know what your dollar is doing for your community,” DeMars said.
Proponents of Buy Local Day will have a presence Nov. 28 outside Pastiche Modern Eatery, 3025 N. Campbell Ave., and at the businesses in the surrounding Campbell Village Shopping Plaza. DeMars is working to have a massage therapist, a physical therapist and maybe a manicurist on hand to provide an escape from the shopping hell of Black Friday.
Uhlich plans to shop at locally owned stores with a high-profile Tucsonan, wrapping up with lunch at Pastiche.
“She recognized the need for more support of local business,” said Miguel Ortega, Uhlich’s chief of staff and a regular attendee of Local First chapter meetings. “Karin wants to make a strong statement that we need to create a culture of supporting local business.”
Uhlich became aware of Local First Arizona about two years ago and met with founder Kimber Lanning, who owns Stinkweeds Record Exchange and the gallery Modified Arts, both in downtown Phoenix. Uhlich created a steering committee in Tucson that resulted in establishing a local chapter.
DeMars said a Tucson button became active in September on localfirstaz.com, and a Tucson e-newsletter started going out this month. The Tucson chapter has 67 members and DeMars hopes to build that to 100 by the end of the year.
