This Fourth of July Salute to a Different Kind of Independence

“Independents Week” celebrates Local Independent Businesses

By Kitty Kerner

“When in the course of human events, it becomes appropriate for communities to assert their independence, to denounce uniformity and celebrate their uniqueness, a respect for freedom and human creativity requires local businesses and peoples to declare those elements which make them unique.  We're celebrating our Independents with Independents Week, July 1-7 2005.”

(From the American Independent Business Alliance website, www.amiba.net)

A call to keep Tallahassee unique is at the heart of a new, week-long celebration that will take place during the first week of July. The Independent Business and Community Alliance of Tallahassee (IBaCA) is inviting the local community to join together in a celebration of independence of a slightly different kind: National Independents Week. This event, which was started by the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), recognizes and honors locally-owned, independent businesses across the nation.

“We found out about this event through AMIBA and thought ‘Let’s promote this right here in Tallahassee,’” said Zan Walker, a board member of IBaCA. “After all, that’s what we’re all about,” she added. “On a local level, we hope that celebrating Independents Week will help to get the word out what the independent, locally-owned businesses really mean for our community. People should understand that shopping at and supporting local businesses rather than big box chain stores really does make a difference in our community.”

Walker is referring to the classic argument that every dollar spent in a locally-owned business keeps circulating within the community – up to three times as long as if you spend it at chains where it leaves immediately for somewhere else. Local business owners generally support a host of local services – for their banking, accounting, advertising, design needs etc. – thus creating a web of interdependence and employment. In contrast, a chain store’s profits are typically exported to the out-of-state corporate headquarters, often bypassing infusion into the local economy.

According to Jeff Milchen, co-founder of AMIBA, “local officials often fall for the seductions and political appeal of luring new national chains[...]but they often fail to consider the greater losses that occur when the local business base is undermined.”

‘Put your money where your house is’ is the catchy phrase used to describe the impact of shopping local. But it’s not just about the money, Zan Walker thinks. “One of the main reasons to support your local businesses is a heightened sense of community.” Local businesses are much more likely to invest in community projects or stage a community event designed to bring neighbors together in celebration. They’re also more able to provide the goods and services that meet the unique needs of their community and thus contribute to shape the character of your home town.

Nationwide, there is a growing trend towards recognizing the importance of local businesses and their impact on communities. The American Independent Business Alliance was founded 4 years ago to act as a central resource center and catalyst for IBAs across the country. “AMIBA currently has 14 official IBA affiliates, and another two will be joining imminently."  This actually is an amazing number, since our organization only came into being in 2001,” said Jennifer Rockne, director of AMIBA.

Take the Indie Challenge and party!

Part of the Independents Week celebration will be the Indie Challenge – to see how much of their shopping and service needs for that week people can satisfy by using only local businesses. “It’s really not that hard once you think about it,” encouraged Walker. “Say someone had a craving for some fried chicken junk food and they’d normally go to KFC or Wendy’s – they could satisfy that craving by patronizing Lindy’s instead, which is a small local chain.” She admits wryly this may be a bad example, but that the same is true for just about any goods or services you might need.

“Independents Week is a good way to explore our community’s independently-owned businesses,” said Wendy Halleck, president of IBaCA. She encourages citizens to visit the organization’s new website to discover new and long-time members of the growing alliance, which features almost 100 businesses and organizations by now.

In addition, the week-long event will be topped off by a big party on July 8 at the American Legion Hall. Everyone is invited to enjoy live music, meet their neighbors in the independent business community and gather discount coupons and prizes from independently owned IBaCA businesses. The $5 donation/admission will support the local IBaCA community organizations.

“We hope this event will grow and turn into the second big community event we sponsor each year,” said Halleck, referring to the annual “Feed the Community” food drive that IBaCA has organized for the past seven years at Lake Ella. Based on that track record, the upcoming Independents Party promises to be a load of fun for everyone – don’t miss it.

Information:

Find out more about the Independents Week and the Independent Business and Community Alliance of Tallahassee as well as their members at their new website, www.LocallyOwnedTallahassee.com

Independents Party: Friday July 8, 7:30-11:30 p.m., American Legion Hall at Lake Ella. With: T Z Jonz and the Ontological Elephants, Mike Brawer and Friends. $5 donation.

Sidebar:

What is a "Local" Independent Business?

    * Private Ownership

    * Owned in majority by area resident(s)

    * Full decision-making function for the business lies with its owner(s)