In November of 2004 the Sustainable Business Network of Portland launched the Think Local First marketing campaign to support independent, locally owned businesses in the greater Portland area. As we enter year 4 of the campaign we have changed the focus to Local First: Choose locally owned businesses campaign

SBNP supports our members in their efforts to be stewards of our region and in turn, we ask our community to be supportive of our local, independently owned businesses. This program enhances the livability of our community, the stability and diversity of the local economy, and the retention and expansion of independent, locally owned businesses through increasing awareness about the personal, community, and economic benefits of choosing local first.

The Local First: Choose locally owned businesses campaign is designed to draw attention to the benefits of shopping at locally owned businesses and to provide an easy way to identify locally owned businesses via store window decals and display materials incorporating the new Local First logo. We have designed new campaign materials including a new logo and window sticker.  Current participants have our existing decals and logo. Check out a photo album of example uses or an album of pictures from campaign events. 

National Survey Finds Support for "Buy Local" Boosted Holiday Spending at Independent Stores

As major chains report weak holiday sales, a nationwide survey of 1,382 independent retailers has found that a desire to support locally owned businesses is emerging as a factor in people's shopping choices. The survey, which included retailers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., found that, even in a difficult economic climate, many independent retailers are holding their own and even seeing sales gains by emphasizing their local ownership and community roots.

Retailers in cities with active "Buy Local" campaigns reported much larger increases in holiday sales on average than those in cities without such campaigns. "Buy Local" campaigns have been launched by local business alliances in more than three dozen communities. Independent retailers in these cities reported an average gain in sales of about 2% over the 2006 holiday season, while those in cities without "Buy Local" campaigns saw an increase of less than 0.5%. Read full press release.

Find Other Locally Owned Businesses and Services

The SBNP Marketplace provides a searchable directory of SBNP member businesses and businesses participating in the Local First campaign. SBNP membership is indicated in search results and listing detail pages by a "BALLE Flower" for SBNP members.