GREATER VICTORIA – As 2016 rolls along, Think Local First is finding strength in numbers. The new slogan for TLF is “We’re Better Together”, and to tell you the truth, WE ARE!
As a community, our local, independent businesses matter. They buy more local business products and employ more local workers. Proceeds from locally owned businesses stay in the community and get re-invested 2-3 times more frequently than proceeds from non-local businesses.
With spring in the air we’re seeing the side of Vancouver Island that people around the world are talking about. Tourism is ramping up with everything from cruise ships to vacationers and they are all looking for one thing; the unique experiences, shops and services that Greater Victoria offers, from Sooke to Sidney and from the Westshore to Oak Bay.
Although visitors are here and loving what Greater Victoria has to offer, it’s our local community members that sustain our uniqueness year round. As business owners, the minute we step out of our stores, we are customers. If we make the effort to do our shopping with Think Local First businesses, we are supporting our friends and neighbours. You’re a local – when was the last time you investigated your local shops and cafes? There are so many hidden gems that get locals talking.
For Think Local First it’s all about the 10 per cent shift. Educating and encouraging our local population to shift 10 per cent of their spending directly to locally owned businesses. We’re asking everyone to purposefully put in the extra effort to reward their local business owners by seeking them out and spending their hard earned money with them. It goes a long way; further than you might imagine.
For a second year, TLF would like to thank Island Savings for their sponsorship of the Think Local First Rewards program. TLF Rewards is growing and it’s a great opportunity for locals to earn Merits for shopping at any of the over 30 participating TLF Rewards businesses. Merits are earned on every purchase and then redeemed for Rewards from participating businesses.
We appreciate member business, Peninsula Co-op for providing sponsorship for this year’s Think Local Week in November as well as next year’s AGM in April.
We are 192 businesses strong and we want to be sure that all of Greater Victoria understands we are here to support them. Visit www.thinklocalvictoria.com for a full list of member businesses and see the new interactive map that shows you where to find them.
– Dr. Matthew Kittleson of UC Life Chiropractic, and a member of the Board of Directors for Think Local First.
