Written by Sonja Bolton
Owl and Pen’s “Keene” owl eyes spotted this inspiring info from AMIBA and this Valentine’s Day, we’d love to share their – and our – love for all things local with you!
Show Your Local Love This Valentine’s Day: Shop Indie Local
This Valentine’s Day, show your “local love” — love for your sweetie and your whole community — by purchasing gifts (or gift-making supplies) and meals (or ingredients) at locally owned businesses. Last year, Americans spent $23.9 billion on Valentine’s Day.
Imagine if we shifted some of that spending to independent businesses!
Locally owned businesses offer us much to love. They strengthen our local economy, culture, and well-being. Independent businesses re-circulate more money in our community than chain stores. Moreover, studies show that small businesses create most new jobs, meaning today’s local Valentines are tomorrow’s jobs.
Valentine’s Plans
Last year’s National Retail Federation survey found that 53 percent of Americans planned to celebrate with candy, greeting cards, and flowers.
Local Love Grows
Small businesses made it to the top five Valentine’s shopping destinations in National Retail Federation’s survey. The local love spirit is growing! So, continue to show lots of local love this Valentine’s Day. That love will circle back to you, your loved ones, and — best of all — your entire community.
Looking for another way to show the local love and support local economies everywhere? Support our Shop Indie Local crowdfunding campaign on The Local Crowd Monadnock and fuel our year-round movement to grow more local, equitable, and inclusive economies. With your help, we’ll strengthen campaigns like Plaid Friday and Eat Local Month in your community and throughout North America. Plus, we’ll add new efforts like Move Your Money and Shop Black-Owned Month.
Offline donations are also accepted. Checks should be made out to AMIBA with “Shop Indie Local” in the memo and mailed to AMIBA, 524 Boston Post Road, Wayland, MA, 01778. Thank you for fueling the Shop Indie Local Movement!
Owl and Pen’s Top Ideas for Locally-made “I love you” Gifts:
Daffodils Flowers and Gifts has been making hearts swoon since 2001. With a full service florist providing hand-picked fresh bouquets and gifts made for romantic gestures, your sweetheart will surely feel showered with your love. Find them on Facebook or in lovely downtown Jaffrey, NH.
For a fancy dinner for two, The Pearl in Peterborough, NH, has it all. With a locally designed menu of bold innovative flavors and an elegant atmosphere, an evening at this one-of-a-kind oyster bar will exceed your date’s expectations every time. Join their Facebook and Instagram communities.
Does your sweetheart have a sweet tooth? Surprise him or her with french macaroons, custom cupcakes, cookies, donuts and more from Eat More Cake in beautiful Keene, NH. Their treats are crafted with incredible artistry and even better flavor! Follow them on Facebook and Instagram!
For paramours who prefer the decadence of rich chocolate, you’ll need to swing by Ava Marie’s new location at 43 Grove Village Shops in picturesque Peterborough, NH for handmade truffles, carmels, and other artisan treats like their chocolate and caramel apples. There’s nothing that melts the heart like melt-in-the-mouth chocolate! Take a look at their Facebook and Instagram pages!
However you celebrate love this Valentine’s Day, we hope we’ve inspired you to share our love for #local!
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