2011 Think Local Thank Local

Cambridge Local First is launching its fifth annual "Think Local Thank Local" campaign for charity. This year, 40 locally owned and independent Cambridge businesses will donate a portion of their proceeds to the Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund (CHAF).

Participating businesses in the "Think Local Thank Local" campaign pledge a percentage of their revenues during the first week of peak holiday shopping after Thanksgiving. To support CHAF, please shop where you see a "Think Local. Thank Local" sign. The campaign will begin on November 25th and runs until December 2rd.

2011 Think Local, Thank Local Participants:

Central Square: 1369 Coffeehouse, Harvest Co-op Market, New Leaf Legal, Veggie Galaxy, Toscaninis, Picante Mexican Grille, University Stationery
East Cambridge: Mayflower Poultry Company
North Cambridge: Home Care Contractors
Harvard Square: Irving House at Harvard, Clothware, Harvard Book Store, Patricia Mazza Real Estate, Silver Clay Fabulous Gifts, Veggie Planet
Huron Village: Easy Chairs Antiques, The Fishmonger, Full Moon Restaurant, Half Crown-William Henry Furniture, Marimekko
Inman Square: 1369 Coffeehouse, Boutique Fabulous, Stellabella Toys
Kendall Square: Cambridge Brewing Company, Xylem
Mid-Cambridge: Harding House, A Bed and Breakfast
Observatory Hill: Didriks, Reside Inc.
Porter Square: Cambridge Common, Cambridge Naturals, Christopher's Restaurant, Henry Bear's Park, Home Care Contractors, Joie de Vivre, Porter Square Books, Salon Luna, Stellabella Toys, TAGS Hardware, West Side Lounge

 

 

"Shift Your Shopping" Is Back!

New England Local First Networks gather in Portsmouth and adopt "Shift Your Shopping" for the second year!

The New England Local Business Forum (NELBF) is a coalition of independent business organizations working together to promote strong local economies in New England. The NELBF held it's Eighth Gathering in Portsmouth, New Hampshire last Friday, October 21, and it included representatives from sixteen local business networks representing all six states in New England. Most of the CLF Executive Committee attended this dynamic meeting including co-chairs, Frank Kramer and Rachael Solem, Michael Kanter, Laury Hammel, and our ED Janneke House. 

This gathering focused on our 2nd annual New England "Shift Your Shopping" holiday campaign. We discussed at length specific ways that we can integrate our campaign with a first-ever national holiday campaign and how our member businesses can maximize their benefit of being local during this holiday shopping season.

We were fortunate to have the co-founders of AMIBA (American independent Business Alliance) join us--Jeff Milchen and Jennifer Rockne. Jeff and Jennifer are leaders in the local economy movement and added a national perspective to the dialogue as well as over a decade of experience in building networks and our movement. Stacy Mitchell, the highly respected author on local economies was also present and the presence of these three national leaders inspired those in attendance and gave the conversations added depth and meaning.

Coupon Book Give-Away For CLF Members & Their Employees 

We have received very positive feedback on the "Where The Locals Go" Coupon Book. We partnered with the Graham and Parks school to sell the books as a fundraiser for their school and our retail locations have seen a steady selling of the books.  

The coupons expire on December 31, 2011 so we would like to give away the books to our members and their employees while supplies last. If you would like some books, and promise to use the coupons, please email us with the number you would like to have.