‘Buy Cincy’ Promotes Local Shopping

Amid the backlash against chain stores opening as early as 6 a.m. Thanksgiving Day and exploiting the holidays in general, one Greater Cincinnati nonprofit has a positive and constructive alternative.

Shop local and support your neighbors.

The “Buy Cincy Holiday Event” is organized by the Greater Cincinnati Independent Business Alliance (CiNBA), a nonprofit dedicated to building a strong independent business community in the region.

Charitable Words Scholar Elese Daniel, a recent graduate of The University of Cincinnati, is on assignment with CiNBA and helping recruit businesses for the event, which runs Thursday through Sunday (Nov. 21-24). Elese, who was on the UC Honors team that produced a “Telling True Stories: Tanzania” documentary earlier this year, also is working on a video project to showcase small businesses supported by CiNBA.

Formerly known as “Cincinnati Unchained,” the event will promote the benefits of shopping local while bringing holiday traffic to locally owned, independent businesses in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, said CiNBA founder Owen Raisch.  More than 120 area businesses are participating this year.

This link to participating businesses and promotions includes neighborhood maps.

Anyone visiting a participating business during the four-day event will receive a ticket to win their share of thousands of dollars in raffle prizes ($7,000 plus), Raisch said.

“Visiting more businesses means more chances, and sharing pictures via social media (#buycincy) means more chances to win, too.”

The event will impact 120+ businesses in more than 10 neighborhoods, Raisch said.  The event aims to generate new spending from over 30,000 customers creating an estimated economic impact of more than $300,000 as customers spend around $15 each.  National surveys by the Institute for Local Self Reliance show increased sales of more than 200 percent among businesses in communities with a “buy local” campaign.

“Imagine your favorite shop or restaurant. Most likely, this is an independent business. It may be owned by someone nearby or whom you have even met.

Its unique history adds value and character, and special shops like these make communities vibrant. But they are also the root of a strong economy,” Raisch said.

““Local businesses invest in local companies, create local revenue, and employ local management, not absent executives. Then, their charm attracts people who lead other companies, creating even more jobs in your hometown.”

Well said, Owen.

Thanks for what you and your team are doing for your neighbors. And thanks for being a Charitable Words Scholars friend and partner.

We’ll be doing some shopping this weekend. Hope to see you around.

Charitable Words,

Tom Callinan

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