America Unchained

by ctb

On Saturday, November 21, the Tampa Independent Business Alliance (TIBA) marks America Unchained! by asking the community to “unchain” by doing all shopping, dining out, and other business only with locally-owned independents, adding millions of dollars to the local economy.

“On an average November day last year, over $44 million dollars entered the Hillsborough County economy, and over $28 million in Pinellas. If all those transactions had been exclusively with locally-owned independent businesses for just one day, we would have kept over $23 million dollars more in the local economy than if spent at national chains,” says Carla Jimenez, co-owner of Inkwood Books and Board member of TIBA and AMIBA. “America Unchained helps everyone quantify the impact of personal spending choices. If you’re spending less these days – and who isn’t? – we offer a way to make it count more.”

America Unchained highlights the findings of studies in Maine and Austin demonstrating that locally-owned independents generate 3.5 times the local economic activity as chains. A study from Andersonville, Illinois, finds independent businesses generate about 70% greater local economic activity per square foot. And Studies in San Francisco and Grand Rapids, Michigan demonstrate that even a 10% shift in personal spending can make an immense difference, with findings in terms of jobs. The latest study, from New Orleans, shows a similar contraction of the local economy with a 10% shift of spending away from local independents.

“The timing is intentional, at a time of the year when people are spending more, and an avalanche of advertising slicks are beginning to arrive,” said Josh Dohring, President of TIBA and Vice President of the Dohring Group. “We hope everyone will reflect on the big impact of small everyday acts as they do their holiday purchasing and other business. America Unchained reminds us what is at stake – environmentally, culturally, and socially – as our independents compete with big box chains and online giants that send so many dollars away in the overnight deposit. We put your money to work directly helping you and your neighbors keep your jobs and businesses, and repeated sales tax collection contributes much more to the public revenue for social services and safety nets we all rely on.”

Many TIBA member businesses offer special discounts to highlight America Unchained! “If your list includes clothing, books, music, wine – or a gourmet dinner or massage after shopping all day – you’ll enjoy special value as you visit local merchants ready to give you personal attention,” says Scott Moore of Urban Body Men’s Clothing. “Just remember to mention America Unchained or TIBA!” In addition to Urban Body, participants include A Business Printing, Bungalow Bistro, Forever Beautiful Spa, Inkwood Books, Mojo Books & Music, Stehlik Photography, Tanner Paint, Why Not Boutique, and more.

“Give yourself the gift of human-scaled, serene shops, with accessible, accountable, and personally invested owners, confident that it’s your best choice for community stability and prosperity,” said Jimenez. “And since local businesses also give about 4 times as much of their earnings to charitable causes, it’s more important than ever in the season of giving.”

A national campaign of the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), America Unchained! is observed by over 100 participating business alliances, main street coalitions, national trade associations representing booksellers, music stores, toy retailers and restaurants, and numerous individual businesses.  In Florida alone, there are AMIBA affiliates in Gainesville, Naples, Tallahassee and Stuart as well as Tampa, with similar groups organizing in St. Petersburg and Pinellas County.

Resources:
Tampa Independent Business Alliance www.tibatampa.org
American Independent Business Alliance: www.AMIBA.net.
Studies referenced located at: http://amiba.net/recommended.html#studies
Florida Department of Revenue sales tax data at http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/tables/f10_netdue_cy0809.xls
See also www.liveablecity.org, www.newrules.org, www.civiceconomics.com).

Tags 20091109 | Category Creative Communities, Newsletter

Do the math and do your part. Try LOCAL FIRST for all your holiday shopping – and the rest of the year, too!

On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, join the nationwide observance of AMERICA UNCHAINED, along with the Tampa Independent Business Alliance (TIBA), and dozens of main street organizations and communities, as we highlight the important economic impact of your spending decisions. AMERICA UNCHAINED is a nationwide event celebrated on the third Saturday in November (started in Austin in 2004).

This year, TIBA will be kicking off the celebration on Saturday at Smoke Barbeque & Grill from 4 – 6 pm.  Everyone is welcome to join in the fun and meet your fellow TIBA member business owners while enjoying complimentary drinks and tasty samplings.

Where:  Smoke Barbeque & Grill (901 W Platt St, Tampa, FL 33606)

When:  Saturday, Nov 21^st from 4:00 to 6:00 PM

What a difference a day makes:

Because we generate over three times the economic activity for their hometowns as national chains, it would mean over $14 million dollars added to the Hillsborough County economy if every penny was spent on an average November day was with locally owned independents and none with national chains! (Based on Florida Department of Revenue figures for taxable transactions in November 2008.)

SAVE BIG $$$ AND SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY

TIBA members are offering a variety of terrific discounts.  Click here to find out more!

On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, join the nationwide observance of AMERICA UNCHAINED, along with the Tampa Independent Business Alliance, and dozens of main street organizations and communities, as we highlight the important economic impact of your spending decisions.

What a difference a day makes:

Because we generate over three times the economic activity for their hometowns as national chains, it would mean over $14 million dollars added to the Hillsborough County economy if every penny was spent on an average November day was with locally owned independents and none with national chains! (Based on Florida Department of Revenue figures for taxable transactions in November 2008.)

Do the math and do your part. Try LOCAL FIRST for all your holiday shopping – and the rest of the year, too!

A Business Printing & Promotions: 20% discount on full color business card or brochure for projects completed during November. 813-933-2788

American Momentum Bank: Free order of checks or small (3×5) safe deposit box for 6 months with new personal checking account, at 3708 Henderson Blvd. Office, through January 15, 2010. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.

A Source for the Home: 20% off all Rosenthal Dinnerware place settings. Free shipping. 813-259-9999

The Bungalow Bistro of Seminole Heights: Complimentary Glass of House Wine OR Dessert with purchase of Dinner Entrée. 813-237-2000

Café Hey: 15% off entire purchase.  813-221-5150

Chavez at Home: 20% off dine-in or take home, breakfast/lunch/dinner.   813-251-1500

Forever Beautiful Salon & Day Spa: 10% off Salon Services. 813-231-3378,

Gorilla Theatre: $10 tickets to “Christmas Trio” (December 3-20), subject to availability; maximum2 per person. Call 813-879-2914 for reservations.

Groovy Cats & Dogs: 15% off your purchase (excludes food). 813-265-1333

Independent Insights of Florida, LLC Free copy of The Beneficiary Book – Family Information Organizer to new financial planning clients from Nov. 21 to Dec. 11. 813-781-8040

Inkwood Books 20% off entire purchase. 813-253-2638

Mise en Place Restaurant: Dave’s Pick Complimentary Glass of Wine. 813-254-5373

Mojo Books & Music: 20% off Used Books and 10% off New Books & CDs! 813-971-9717

The NoHo Bistro Buy One, Get One 50% off on November 20 & 21.  813-514-0691

Old Tampa Book Company 50% off all health, medical, & self-help books, also gardening, travel & history! 813-209-2151

Price’s Writing & Editing Services: Free Service Hour on 2009 Press Release for Independent Business, November 20-21, 813-250-1298

Stehlik Photography: Free photo session with free online proofing, $350 value. Prints must be purchased separately. 813-695-2441

Smoke Barbecue & Grill: Free wine or Sangria with dinner or lunch.  813-254-70708

Tampa Street Market: 20% off one item in the store. 813-236-4900

Tampa T Shirts Free set up on T-shirt orders of 48 or more. 813-875-3024

Tanner Paint Company: Special discount on all Tampa-made products:  Tanner Paints formulated for Florida climate, and Corona brushes. 813-876-0467.

Urban Body Men’s Clothing Shake the chain for 20% off any single item, one per customer.  813-251-5522

Vintage Wine Cellars: 15% off plus Free Wine Tasting Certificate. 813-879-2931

Vinyl Fever: 20% off PLUS coupon for your next visit! 4110 Henderson Blvd. 813-289-8399

Why Not Boutique: 20% off a single item. 813-374-2394

The Wine Exchange: 10% off check!  (retail wine not included). 813-254-9463

(**In-stock regular priced merchandise only, and does not combine with other promotional offers or discounts.)