February 15, 2016 at 12:26 am
Hi Noah,
Every year when American Express launches their Shop Small campaign, it is mentioned, but nothing much beyond there. From the 7 years I’ve been writing this blog I think the energy is really starting to concentrate and take off for business owners working together as a group. A huge help has been Last Saturday’s and the Newburgh Illuminated Festival – both of which focus on fostering the businesses of Liberty Street and Lower (eastern) Broadway. There was also the cash mob, which, one Saturday a month would go to a local business, all promising to spend about $20.
Honestly, a buy local/shop small organization/business improvement district is needed. I think some of us have our hands in many projects, so it’s hard to create a new one. But if a new person was to come in with a passion, energy, and time to start something like this, I think we would all support it. Liberty Street currently has 4-5 food/drink locations. There are 3 more that are about to open. There’s a need to market the area as a destination and make these businesses and the other surrounding ones to work together…especially to the 2 college campuses within walking distance. I hope if you come that is something you could make a reality!
February 15, 2016 at 11:43 am
Noah, A relative introduced this coupon book to me a couple of years back.
https://shop.entertainment.com/products/mid-hudson-valley-coupon-book
It didn’t ‘do it’ for me, as the offerings weren’t necessarily to my wants and the focus on ‘local’ was mixed (a corp. franchise with a local zip code, not). The portlandbuylocal program seems to have an advantage in those aspects. Personally, coupons are not the determinant I use as a consumer. Local, yes, you better be the real deal. As per Newburgh, I don’t think it’s an awareness issue, more of a perception one. Absolutely, I agree with Cher regarding the growing number of small biz establishments. Yes the colleges, med centers and muni offices are here, but… . I know a lot of people are anxiously waiting to see the aftereffect of the Broadway Corridor project. So far what we know is empirical, drawn from reads such as those provided by Cher. Your arrival time may be fortuitous.
February 15, 2016 at 3:23 pm
Re>Think Local has been doing some great pro-active things in this vein. Their holiday market at Space Create (where they have an office) was a huge success. They had photographers and videographers recording each business that they post on their website- and used some photographs in co-op advertising. They also host localized gatherings in different locations throughout our region. At the moment Newburgh’s retail and restaurant markets are somewhat disjointed and still developing. Speaking as an owner of one of the few retail vendors, Newburgh Art Supply, I believe that as more stable businesses take hold, we will work better as a team to market our city as a destination. As for forming an organization, trying to find leadership from busy business owners is a big challenge. Organizations like Re>Think Local understand that challenge and are working regionally with a paid staff. And with a fresh eager staff in our city’s Economic and Development Office, I’m hopeful that they will embrace the buy local movement as they re-prioritize their purpose.