Most people use the New Year as a reason to set goals for themselves and hope that within those next 365 days, they will emerge a new person and maybe even hope to learn something along the way. We find it inspiring to raise the bar just a bit higher and not just better ourselves, but better our community and state as a whole by working together. January didn’t just mark the New Year for us, but gave us a new chance to promote Local First Arizona’s new SHIFT campaign. Local First promotes the fact that shopping locally can improves our home and its economy by keeping money re-circulating within Arizona and increasing our tax revenue. Recently, they’ve released the idea of shifting spending, your shopping and your sourcing, away from big chain retailers and towards locally owned and operated businesses.

As members of Local First, we felt like running with SHIFT and holding our own mini local businesses fair. We invited several businesses to Bookmans Phoenix to let our customers know about the services and products they provide to the valley. Ecosaurus showed off their 100% recyclable and recycled stationary and wrapping paper, and raffled off a gift basket filled with their earth friendly materials. Lisa from Wei of Chocolate gave out free samples of organic, vegan and fair trade chocolates infused with flower essence that tantalized the taste buds and were an experience all on their own. Massage Makers provided free massage samples that brightened and relaxed everyone’s day and raffled off a coupon that gave one lucky customer 50% off a full body massage. Bashas’ registered dietitian Barbara Ruhs generously gave out goodie bags filled with coupons and samples from the grocer. Wendy Reese, owner of Peace In the City, stopped by to do a free one-hour intro to yoga class so that those ready to start the new year being a little healthier, had the chance to experience yoga to ensure it fits their lifestyle (and it does almost every lifestyle).

Each of these business owners are proud to live and work right here in Arizona and we’re grateful that they took the time to attend our fair. Customers enjoyed the free samples and the chance to go home with prizes, like a great basket filled with items from Phoenix businesses like Smeeks, Frances, Copper Star Coffee and Bookmans, and hopefully they learned a little bit about how easy it is to make the SHIFT to shop locally. Arizona is our home and it feels good to know that every day locally owned business help to make our home a better place.

Find us on Flickr for more photos of this SHIFT-y event.