Mary Schmidt Marketing Troubleshooter

Next week is “National Independents Week” (July 1-7). Many cities, including Albuquerque (and Santa Fe, Austin, Boulder), have Independent Business Alliances.

These alliances are to support the locally-owned businesses that make all our communities places we never want to leave. The local Mom & Pop pizza joint; the corner bistro; the specialty manufacturer that treats their employees like family; the natural living/free trade boutique; the organic markets and farmers; the cupcake bakery; the pie maker, up at 3 a.m. every morning to make crust from scratch; the spa; the architects; the designers…the people who live next door and down the street from you. (Think of your favorite places - I bet many of them are locally-owned.)

So, before you drive to Wal-Mart this weekend - think about your locally owned businesses. Sure, buy those diapers in bulk at Big Wally, but consider buying that gift for Grandma at your home town boutique.

Maybe instead of eating lunch at Applebee’s every time, eat once a week at the Mom & Pop sandwich shop (where they have daily freshly-made specials). We’ve got THOUSANDS of great little “joints” here in the quirky burque, (everything from New Mexican to Greek to Thai) and I bet you do too.

If you spend just 10% of your dollars at locally-owned businesses, it’ll make a HUGE difference in your local economy.

To find out more, visit American Independent Business Alliance

(And, if you’re in the Albuquerque area, come to our AIBA Indie Fiesta on Tuesday, July 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. We’re going to have some of that pie made from scratch by a member…and lots more!)

Tags: Independents Week, Albuquerque Independent Business Alliance, Independent Business Alliances