Buy Local, Keep Money in Austin
Originally published online at News 8 on July 1, 2006
by Allison Toepperwein

When you’re shopping, you know what you’re spending, but do you know where your money’s going?

The Austin Independent Business Alliance kicked off a new campaign Saturday that gives shoppers an “I bought local” sticker celebrating local business. The sticker idea was generated at a recent AIBA networking event by Erin Portman of Bird’s Barbershop.

Mayor Will Wynn got the first ‘I Bought Local’ sticker at BookPeople.

“We have this great collection of iconic businesses here in town … These businesses disproportionately give Austin its identity,” Wynn said.

The economic impact of shopping locally owned is about 3.5 times as great as shopping in chain stores, according to BookPeople owner Steve Bercu. That means when people shop at locally owned stores, more money stays local.

The Austin Independent Business Alliance says for every $100 spent at a locally owned store, $45 stays here. But shopping at a chain store leaves only $13.

The buck stops here (literally)

‘I bought local’ stickers aim to get people stuck on supporting local businesses.

Business owners say when people buy locally, they’re also buying services. At BookPeople, for example, there are authors that are from Austin that aren’t found at chain stores.

“The kind of experience you have here is enhanced by the people we have working here that can knowledgeably discuss their literature choices with you,” Bercu said.

The sticker promotion was launched alongside Celebrate Your Independents Week at 25 local businesses. AIBA spends the first week in July in celebration of the contribution of locally owned businesses and give back to the local economy.

AIBA is a member-driven alliance of locally owned businesses, such as Bird’s Barbershop, BookPeople, Planet K, I Luv Video, InStep, Happiness, Long’s Vacuum, The Herb Bar, The Pilates Center, Waterloo Records, Work Clothes & More, Bookwoman, Celebration!, Cream Vintage, Daily Juice, Farm to Market Grocery, The Whip In, Upstairs Men’s Apparel and Wheatsville Co-op.