Ahhh, the shopping season has arrived.
Spending your money at local businesses is a great way to help out the local economy.
From the Tampa Independent Business Alliance –
“Because locally owned independent businesses generate over three times the economic activity for their hometowns as national chains, if everyone shunned the chains, it would mean up to $19 million dollars added to the Hillsborough County economy on an average day! In these tough economic times, doesn’t it make sense to keep as much of your money here in the community as possible? Florida has unique fiscal challenges ahead, so don’t add to the problem by sending your hard-earned dollars to Bentonville, Ann Arbor, or elsewhere…“
Here’s TIBA’s list of local businesses.
The Tampa Downtown Market will be closed on the day after Thanksgiving (11/28), but don’t forget to give them some of your holiday shopping dollars. Here is a list of vendors you can find at the Downtown Market. The Tampa Downtown Market is open Fridays at Lykes Gaslight Square Park (406 N Franklin St.) between 10am-2pm.
Technically the “Unchained” day was yesterday, but that shouldn’t stop you from supporting local businesses like
Inkwood Books
216 South Armenia Avenue
ph 813-253-2638
and
Book Swap of Carrollwood
13020 N. Dale Mabry
Mojo Books & Music
2558 E. Fowler Ave.
(813) 971-9717
Be sure to check out a copy of New Heights Magazine, which has a tremendous list of local businesses.
And, don’t forget to check out Etsy, the online source for finding local arts and crafts. Go to their Shop Local page and type in Tampa to locate local independent sellers.
