BUY BERWYN Shop Local Initiative
The Berwyn Development Corporation (BDC) is pleased to announce the launch of Berwyn’s own shop local initiative, Buy Berwyn. The purpose of this promotion is to build awareness regarding the benefits of shopping local and to encourage support for the local business community.
According to research, the 3/50 project has identified that for every $100 spent in independently owned stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures while shopping with national chains retains only $43 and online shopping retains nothing. BDC President Paul Zimmermann stated, “The concept of shopping local has been trendy for the past decade. It undoubtedly underscores the importance of our residents and workforce sustaining the local economy so that we can protect our local employment and self-employment base and maintain the appeal of our commercial corridors. It also supports a ‘green’ view for reducing carbon emissions and promoting healthier living by driving less and walking to local merchants when possible. When you consider the positive aspects of both of these initiatives, the choice to Buy Berwyn is obvious.”
This campaign is not about asking the community to dramatically change its shopping habits and to shun national chains. Rather, it is about making an effort to shop local independents whenever possible. Times are tough and the immediate economic forecast remains spotty, but the community cannot simply stash its buying power under the proverbial mattress. The 3/50 project has a simple solution, which starts with choosing three favorite independents and then making a commitment to spend $50 per month between these three stores. Mayor Robert Lovero added, “If every resident made a small individual effort, the collective result could create a significant savings for Berwyn. Keeping our tax flow in the community creates a multiplier effect and protects the overall economic health of Berwyn.”
In January 2010, the BDC membership unanimously passed an Advisory Resolution at its Annual Membership Meeting that called for the BDC to create a Shop Local Initiative. Distributed this week, the BDC has created a window poster in English and Spanish (Compre en Berwyn) exclusively for BDC members to display in their storefront windows or prominently in their businesses. The poster design is consistent with the City of Berwyn’s Integrated Marketing Campaign, marked by the brightly colored bull’s eye logo and blue background.
In the coming months, the City of Berwyn will also add the tagline, Buy Berwyn, to the backside of its 2010 vehicle stickers to keep residents mindful of the vibrant business community in their backyards.
The posters and vehicle stickers are but the first steps in a commitment to sustain our local businesses. Additional information on the Buy Berwyn Shop Local Initiative can be obtained through the Berwyn Development Corporation at (708) 788-8100 or www.berwyn.net. Future campaign planning will take place through the BDC’s Chamber Services Committee meetings. For more information on the 3/50 project, visit www.the350project.net.
