Loading ...Help support Arizona’s economy: Buy local!
Among the various opportunities to support your local economy, the simplest and most effective could prove to be buying local. As consumers in a buyer’s market, we have the choice to make key decisions on where we make our purchases. Initiating a transaction at your selected retailer symbolizes your support of the establishment. The ball is always in your court; you have the power to toss this ball to businesses you support, and as a result, the more local businesses you support, the more you are helping to better your community!
Buying local is easier than you think. If you find a nearby reputable business, make a point to patronize it, and tell your friends and family about why you visit this business, rather than the franchise across the street.
- Start with where you shop for groceries. Many communities have weekend Farmer’s Markets in a nearby shopping center or park, a few weekends per month where you can buy locally grown produce from neighborhood farmers and ranchers. Visit www.arizonafarmersmarkets.com or www.fillyourplate.org to check where you can find one close to you.
- Consider visiting a local coffeehouse every morning before work. You will most likely find they roast their own beans, making it an even fresher cup o’ joe than Starbucks, and thus, getting better flavor and value for a lesser price!
- When thinking about where to eat on your lunch hour, seek out locally owned and operated restaurants close by. Truly this will make for a short adventure while you are away from the office! For a few ideas, visit www.localfirstaz.com.
- Seek out local record stores to find that perfect gift for the music or movie lover. You will usually find they have a better selection of independent films and music artists. Some give you the opportunity to trade in your DVD movies and music CDs with the option of store credit or cash (local clothing consignment stores also have this opportunity).
- Shopping online is fast and convenient, but our local economy cannot benefit from it at all. Check out the Get Connected section of this website for local vendors that may be able to help you with your next purchase and/or project!
From June 29 - July 5, Local First Arizona invites you to take the pledge and shop local during Independents Week. Get 20% off at participating Local First Arizona businesses!
Stephanie Nishioka is the Marketing Coordinator for Arizona Central Credit Union, where she has worked since March 2008. She is an Arizona native, and currently resides in Surprise with her fiancé and Shiba Inu.
Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency.
I recently “discovered” McGurkee’s sandwich shop at 15th Ave and Thomas in Central Phoenix. Great sandwiches and locally owned!
I have been introduced to America’s Taco Shop located at: 2041 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85006, Phone: (602) 682-5627
Great food. We eat there regularly. The service is outstanding. You should try it!
I visited The Pita Pit in downtown Flagstaff and I must say the service was outstanding and the cuisine was fantastic. I would recommend this to anyone in the Flagstaff area looking for a healthy and quick bite to eat! Located on the corner of Aspen and San Francisco.
I second that Steve! What a QUICK AND EASY way to EAT FRESH on a budget!
Three suggestions:
1. Tucson: Athens on fourth ave. Entrees are a bit pricey BUT apps, salads, etc. are reasonable. Additionally, they serve lunch. This is a Greek family owned business. The owner, George makes you feel like you are part of the family. I’d hate to see this place go.
2. Phoenix: (Not sure if it is still there but) Cherry Blossom Noodle shop on Camelback. Friendly service. Affordable. Yummy homemade breads on the side. It’s a noodle shop…you can’t go wrong!
3. Flagstaff: Mountain Oasis (downtown)-lots of vegetarian, maybe even some vegan, but meat available too. Healthy, simple dishesand affordable (lunch is fun in the summer…eat outside if you can)!
If you’re ever in the Phoenix downtown area, you can’t go wrong with Carly’s Bisto. It’s on E. Roosevelt between Central and 7th St on the north side of the street. And Matt’s Big Breakfast…AWESOME!!!
Hogs Restraunt in Flagstaff has a tasty lil breakfast to wet your whistle
on for $2.99! It is attached to a quaint and stylish Howard Johnson
Hotel for those of you looking for a meal and room.
There is a new coffee & lunch bar in Queen Creek called the Rhino
Caffe. This place has great food, great coffee, and amazing prices. The
people that work there are fantastic and friendly. They have a new
website up, it’s http://www.rhinocaffe.net. They have monthly car shows there,
and daily arts & crafts classes for this kids, the place is really
great. It’s on Ellsworth just south of Ocotillo in the Serrano’s plaza.
Ground Control in Goodyear serves more than just a great fresh roasted cup of coffee. They also have a nice food selection, gelato, and an amazing beer and wine selection. Check ‘em out on the NW corner of Litchfield and Indian School, behind Burger King.
There is a new business in town here to help small business even the playing field. BrainyAdvisors is a network of advisors and business solutions focused on serving the small business owner. We provide cost-effective solutions for Human Resources, Information Technology and Accounting for small businesses who cannot afford to hire an HR, IT or Accounting professionals. For $60/month you can subscribe on our website and get 1 hour of assistance. If more is need you can add additional hours. Need a webpage? Can’t afford thousands of dollars? We offer a 12 month payment plan at $60/month to provide a Company Facepage with a pay option button or directions to your physical location.
Vemma is a local business (Scottsdale) and offers great nutrition supplements and a healthy Energydrink! You also can start you own business with Vemma (like I do) and support not only this great local company, but also your own family and friends here and world wide.
Please sign up through my personal website: http://www.myvemma.com/happy1000 or http://www.myverve.com/happy1000 and I’ll help you to become successful here in Arizona!
It is great to see a local business like Arizona Central Credit Union
interest in locally owned business’. It is the small business that
supports local communities and provides the small town feel personal
When was the last time Wal-Mart or McDonalds greated you by name?
It is refreshing to see someone like Stephanie Nishioka take a genuine
interest in local business. I am surprised there aren’t more particpants.
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