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 INDEPENDENTS
DAY -
Helios Resource Network expanded its “Buy Local” campaign
to include
this celebration of locally owned,
independent retail stores to show
just how
the local economy can, and should, be supported.
On Friday, July 14th, many independent, locally owned businesses around town hosted contests, giveaways, drawings and
discounts to celebrate their independent status. Participants included:
Members of Unique Eugene, Zona, Capella, New Frontier, Red Barn, Greater Goods,
Sundance, Tsunami, KIVA and Star Gate.
Below is a report from
the:
INDEPENDENTS DAY-
KICKOFF
EVENT
held at Cozmic Pizza, July 13th.
- Sundance Market’s Gavin McComas and Eugene
Springfield Solidarity Network’s Claire Syrett, discussed workers and the
impact on the local economy of purchasing local products from locally
owned stores. (click on their names to read their speeches)
- The evening also included a showing of a clip
from Independent America, a documentary filmed by two journalists as
they traveled across country visiting “Mom and Pop” stores,
searching for what is left of independent businesses.
- The local non-profit, "Grass Commons"
was also present to launch there new consumer support
software. Their mission: "... to help people get the information they need to
steer markets toward the common good." Their new software and internet service: Hooze.org is a collaborative software tool for
gathering useful, reliable information about products and companies—a tool for
the millions of citizen consumers who want to understand more about the
companies who are shaping our world.
- Wonderful music, socializing and even a birthday cake closed out the evening.
NEXT STEPS:
- Helios plans to make this an annual
event in July. With this being our first year, we have
plans to grow with more participating businesses and
greater public visibility.
- In addition, Helios is considering
following the example of other communities by expanding
our "Buy Local" Campaign by hosting an Independents day event
during the busy holiday shopping season.
- If you have ideas to help educate local consumers and support local
business, or want to help out with our ongoing "Buy Local" work, please
contact us as soon as possible.
- Local business owners - if you
would like to support these efforts and be a
participating business in our next Independents
campaign, please contact us.
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According to the
Andersonville Study of Retail Economics,
- for every $100 spent in a locally owned store, $73 stays in the local economy.
Compared with
chain store spending, the report shows that:
- for every $100 on nationally owned stores, only $43 stays in the local economy.
For big box stores? You guessed it:
- for every
$100 spent in big box stores, only $14 stays in the local economy.
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