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CAPITAL REGION
Shoppers asked to buy from local businesses
BY JAMES SCHLETT Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter James Schlett at 395-3040 or jschlett@dailygazette.net.


   It’s a case of the corner bookstore fighting back against the big corporate competitor. But not alone. There is the pizza parlor, the cafe, the credit union and the food cooperative.
   As big box retail stores and other franchises file into the Capital Region, a grassroots movement is gaining momentum among independently-owned businesses. It has entrepreneurs joining forces to convey one key message to consumers: Buy local.
   Since January, about 25 area businesses have banded together to push the buy local theme. They have formed Capital District Local First, which is mounting a marketing campaign to promote independent businesses. Some group activities include publishing a member directory and by hosting a Buy Local Day on Dec. 8.
   A handful of area businesses earlier this month started posting decals on their storefront windows declaring their affiliation with Local First. The decals encourage shoppers to “Keep your capital in the Capital District.”
   Local First is seeking nonprofit status and plans to join the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, a Sanfranciscobased organization composed of 53 similar networks with over 15,000 business members in the United States and Canada. BALLE recently established networks in Buffalo and the Hudson Valley.
   “We’re trying to preserve individuality in our community,” said Susan Taylor, chairwoman of Local First’s steering committee. She is also the marketing and events coordinator for the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza in Albany and Market Block Books in Troy.
   Local First’s mission is similar to that of business improvement districts or chambers of commerce, except it excludes corporate chains from its ranks. Taylor said Local First aims to highlight the uniqueness and the investments locally-owned businesses bring to the community. By year’s end, she expects the group’s membership to reach 100.
   “I really and truly hope a sense of real community and caring come out of this,” said Mary Alice Smith, co-owner of the Java Jazz Cafe & Bakery in Delmar.
   Smith joined Local First shortly after acquiring Java Jazz in May. Judy Gold’s Tough Traveler luggage manufacturer in Schenectady is another new member of the group.
   The 37-year-old Traveler has long been a supporter of the Made in the U.S.A. promotional tag, which encourages Americans to buy goods produced domestically. But where the Made in the U.S.A. campaign has a national reach, Local First’s initiatives will target a more local audience.
   “They want people to remember that there’s a value to having locally-owned stores,” Gold said.
   In 2001, BALLE grew out of a fledgling network of independent businesses centered around Philadelphia. Its member networks have pursued various projects geared toward supporting local buying.
   For example, a Cambridge, Mass. network made business directories that are much more elaborate and expansive than the ones Local First plans to print. A San Francisco network printed book marks that cite reasons to buy locally and that are stapled to purchase receipts.
   Rebecca Marion, a spokeswoman for the Retail Council of New York State, said the rising number of recalled tainted goods from China could fall in favor of the buy local movement. At Tough Traveler, Gold attributed some luggage purchases to increasing wariness over Chinese-made products.  

  
  
  

Well well. We knew this was coming. After all of the the 'sprawl' and 'not made in America' and 'quantity instead of quality' became the fashion, the local small businesses would take the hit. That issue has always been on the forefront when the issue of Big Box/Sprawl rears it's ugly head in a community. Small, local businesses are always subject to take the negative impact. I commend them for their efforts.

As far as buying in our own local area, (schenectady county) will remain to be seen. How our powers to be handle our sales tax dollar is questionable. There are instances where I would rather give to another RESPONSIBLE municipality. This is a damned if ya do and damned if ya don't.

Perhaps the small businesses should be addressing their county legislatures and discuss where and how the tax revenue will be spend.

I have always bought from local businesses if they have what I am looking for. And they usually do. I will even pay the little bit more to support them.

I buy local but will also go to Target or Sears which is actually KMart .And I must confess that I shop BJs before PriceChopper or Hannaford. (I hate grocery stores) I buy my appliances from Marcellas and will buy flowers from a florist. I would go to a locally owned pharmacy...but there are none. So I go to Rite Aid. I will also buy my meat from Sals or Gabriels from time to time. But I have to admit that BJ's meat is excellent!!!!

Bumble, I also buy a lot of my meat and other products that we use a lot of at BJ's as well but Sal's is also very good for custom meat.

I like the meat from Sal's, Gabriel's and BJ's better than the meat at Price Chopper or Hannaford. And if you buy any of the products made by Pede Brothers, you should go right to their store on Duanesburg Road. They are cheaper there than in the markets. I don't like going into grocery stores either.

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Public invited to attend meetings of ‘Local First’

Your Aug. 22 article on Capital District Local First was excellent. Readers might like to know that the next meeting of Local First will be on Sept. 10 at Tough Traveler’s factory, 1012 State St. The public is invited.
Tough Traveler factory tours will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., while the Local First meeting will begin at 7.
Local First is open to both merchants and non-merchants who want to support local businesses.
Your article captured the excitement of the group and what it is trying to achieve.
NANCY GOLD
Schenectady
The writer is president of Tough Traveler Ltd.  

  
  
  

I think this is a great idea for local businesses. I don't know how many people will attend these meetings, but maybe as it catches on, more people will come. It's a great way to network. Although I thought the Chamber of Commerce would be promoting private local businesses. I know you have to pay a yearly fee to be a part of the Chamber. And if these businesses have paid their dues, the Chamber should also be promoting them.

The rotary clubs are supposed to network too......

The "Buy Local First" initiative will succeed only if local merchants can differentiate themselves from the "big box" and chain stores.  If the product offerings are the same and the independent local merchants charge more for the same items, they will not prosper as the economies of scale favor the large retailers and most people will base their purchasing decisions on price.

As an example, I was a long time LL Bean and Lands End customer when the products that they offered were "Made in the USA".  The American made products generally cost a little more than their imported counterparts, but the quality of the domestic made products was superior.  Several years ago, however, LL Bean and Lands End began to phase out the products that were made in the USA, replacing them with imported items in an effort to "remain competitive".  It was at that time that I ceased buying from these companies as I could find similar product offerings at any of the chain stores (KMart, Walmart, Sears, etc.) at a lower cost and without the excessive shipping and handling charges.

I would recommend to the local merchants who are members of the "Buy Local First" campaign that they differentitate themselves from the chain stores by offering American made, and preferably local made, items.  I, for one, would be pleased to support American manufacturers even if the cost was slightly higher than similar imported items.  Another manner in which they could differentiate themselves is by offering same day home delivery.  I long for the days of home delivered dairy products, the produce trucks, etc. that would peddle their products in our neighborhoods.

Americans must support manufacturers who provide jobs to our family members and to our neighbors.

That's a fact 'z'......

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I long for the days of home delivered dairy products, the produce trucks, etc. that would peddle their products in our neighborhoods.

What?? Are you like 80 years old?

Seriously though, I think maybe the issue with faulty and poisonous products from China might make a few people think twice.  Maybe not for the appropriate reason, but atleast it may make a difference.  I agree with Zims assessment of of LL Bean and Lands End, they have "sold us out" to the cheap imports and charge the same as domestic products.  I can remember my grandfather, who was a WW2 veteran refused to buy anything from Japan.  He is about the last one I ever knew who had a passion for buying American and would do without before buying anything foreign.  

When I was younger, my dad would rally about buying American made only. It would upset him when he would see products that had "made in Japan" on them. He would buy only American made products, especially cars. (I liked Honda's) He use to tell me that by buying foreign made products, we were just putting ourselves out of work. He said that the country would suffer for it one day. I was younger than and didn't think he knew what he was talking about. (of course}
I am older now and my dad has passed on, and his words ring clear to me everyday now. HE WAS RIGHT!  I try to buy American made, if I can find it. But I must confess, I still like my Honda's.

Here's the first step to buying local, buying from inside the Good Ole U.S. of A.
Here's some places to look for things that are made here.  I googled "made in the usa" and these were all on the first 2 pages.


http://madeinusa.org/



And yeah, in case you wanted to know if something's made in France...
http://www.madeinusa.org/french.html


Another Made in the USA website
http://www.madeinusa.com/


http://www.buyamerican.com/


New Balance Shoes
http://www.nbwebexpress.com/

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"We believe most consumers think "Made in USA" means that real manufacturing jobs were provided to U.S. workers in order to make that product. The shoes produced in our U.S. factories are made by U.S. workers using both U.S. and imported materials. Where the level of domestic value is at least 70%, we have labeled the shoe "Made in USA." Where it falls below that level, we have qualified it as containing both domestic and imported materials. This determination is based in part on a survey of consumers conducted by the FTC." --New Balance Inc.

The products featured here have met the designated New Balance "Made in USA" qualifications.

And finally, (OK, there's actually one more thing below, but we're almost there) here's a list of a whole bunch of companies which Andrew Wilkow (former WGY radio talk show host and now Sirius Patriot Channel 144 host) has compiled as Made in the USA products.

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Wilkow's Made in the USA Shopping Guide
WGY ^ | 12-18-2005 | Andrew Wilkow


Posted on 12/18/2005 8:10:30 AM PST by AliVeritas


The reason for this shopping guide is not chastise anyone for purchasing what they want or can afford, after all we live in a free market society. It is not a cry of desperation or a call to pass anti-free market laws. This guide is not an endorsement of any one product or company over another.

What it is however, is a convenient list of products designed, crafted and produced by Americans for Americans in America (I realize that sounds a little redundant).

It also stands to dispel the myth that American made products are more often than not more expensive than imported products. In the end high end products will come at a higher price and so on no matter where the product is produced.

One final thought, this guide is not the be all end all. There plenty of products that haven't made the list yet.

-Andrew

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1542841/posts

Oh, yeah, and there's Diamond Gusset Jeans
http://www.gussetclothing.com/

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Diamond Gusset Jeans: 100% Made in the USA for 20 Years

Origins

Denim from Georgia

Buttons and burrs from Kentucky and Tennessee
Thread from Nashville
Hang Tags and Labels from Tennessee
Pocketing from Mississippi
Leatherette Patch from Atlanta
Sewn together in the Georgia mountains
Stonewashed in Georgia

BK, thanks for the great links and information!

Rene, some of us still remember the milk being delivered to the house every other day, fresh veggies being delivered daily in an old converted school bus, and way back when there really was penny candy. The good old days.

Does anyone remember the Friehoffer truck that came around LED BY A HORSE? Boy, isn't this aging us all? Or maybe just me!

I was on the Freddy Friehoffer television show when I was a child.  Gosh ... I feel old.

I've seen pictures of people on the horse and the show......

So was I! We must be a bunch of old farts here, huh?(Speaking for myself of course) Or is it called 'middle aged'? And sooooooo....we are the BABY BOOMERS!!!! Watch out, cause here we come!!!  

Quoted from z2im

I was on the Freddy Friehoffer television show when I was a child.  Gosh ... I feel old.

I was on the Freddy Friehoffer show for my girlfriends birthday when I was young. I actually did a "sqiggle". (remember those?) And my mon still has it in her cedar chest. And I "really do feel old"! My mind, or lack of, and body will contest to that.

http://www.allrightmagazine.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=86

Putting a Label on Freedom of Choice


By MICHAEL JAY DEAN

2007-10-11

Our Freedom Of Choice Is Rapidly Disappearing!

The American people should have the right to buy American goods manufactured and produced in the good old U.S.A. Making such a choice available will have many benefits, including the creation of more U.S. jobs, an increased tax base and most likely better quality products.




The American consumer today is faced with a major challenge. Even if a shopper wants to buy American products manufactured in the U.S., in many instances this is simply not possible because many of these "American" brands are just no longer made here.

With virtually no competition from within in the country, we, in effect, have created an external monopoly in which certain goods are delivered from a single country source.


This comes with all the attendant problems that monopolies produce. It is no surprise that we have recently witnessed an invasion of our country by an alarming number of foreign-produced goods that are of questionable quality. When you are the only game in town, you can lower the quality of goods! Soon to follow this lowering of quality will be a raising of prices. Why? Monopolies are bad; competition is good. Allow monopolies to control, and monopolies will control. Regardless of a "brand" name stuck on a product, they are all made by the same factories in China -- the Communist Chinese manufacturers -- and the "marts" who do their bidding have the control over your purchases!

It is time to take back control of our marketplace!

We need to provide the American consumer with more choices with respect to product country of origin.

This proposal is simple. We the people of this great nation, we the American consumer, should require that a sizeable percentage of goods made for the American market must be produced here in the U.S.

This may result in a price differential between identical products solely based on country of origin, but it will be up to individual consumers to decide which product to buy -- American-made or foreign-made. The freedom of choice will be in the hands of the consumer, not the manufacturers, and not the "marts."

Give me the freedom!

If I go to the store to buy a widget, and the one from China costs a buck while the one Made In the U.S.A. costs a buck fifty, I can save 50 cents and buy the China-made widget, or I can spend an extra 50 cents and support my country, my way of life, and my children's future! Either way, I would have the freedom of choice!


This is not a new concept, and I didn't dream this up. I'm not nearly that smart. But I am smart enough to see what is happening to our country, our freedom of choice, and what all 148 of our trading partners are doing.

This is a win-win situation. Consumers will have the ability to decide which products to buy not only by brand name but by country of origin. With more products manufactured in the U.S., more jobs will be created, thereby increasing the tax base.

Let's demand that more products with "Made in the U.S.A." labels be available on the store shelves!
So, what can you do right now that doesn't cost a penny, and yet could be a great investment in your future?
Get Involved!

http://www.allrightmagazine.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=86

Putting a Label on Freedom of Choice


By MICHAEL JAY DEAN

2007-10-11

Our Freedom Of Choice Is Rapidly Disappearing!

The American people should have the right to buy American goods manufactured and produced in the good old U.S.A. Making such a choice available will have many benefits, including the creation of more U.S. jobs, an increased tax base and most likely better quality products.




The American consumer today is faced with a major challenge. Even if a shopper wants to buy American products manufactured in the U.S., in many instances this is simply not possible because many of these "American" brands are just no longer made here.

With virtually no competition from within in the country, we, in effect, have created an external monopoly in which certain goods are delivered from a single country source.


This comes with all the attendant problems that monopolies produce. It is no surprise that we have recently witnessed an invasion of our country by an alarming number of foreign-produced goods that are of questionable quality. When you are the only game in town, you can lower the quality of goods! Soon to follow this lowering of quality will be a raising of prices. Why? Monopolies are bad; competition is good. Allow monopolies to control, and monopolies will control. Regardless of a "brand" name stuck on a product, they are all made by the same factories in China -- the Communist Chinese manufacturers -- and the "marts" who do their bidding have the control over your purchases!

It is time to take back control of our marketplace!

We need to provide the American consumer with more choices with respect to product country of origin.

This proposal is simple. We the people of this great nation, we the American consumer, should require that a sizeable percentage of goods made for the American market must be produced here in the U.S.

This may result in a price differential between identical products solely based on country of origin, but it will be up to individual consumers to decide which product to buy -- American-made or foreign-made. The freedom of choice will be in the hands of the consumer, not the manufacturers, and not the "marts."

Give me the freedom!

If I go to the store to buy a widget, and the one from China costs a buck while the one Made In the U.S.A. costs a buck fifty, I can save 50 cents and buy the China-made widget, or I can spend an extra 50 cents and support my country, my way of life, and my children's future! Either way, I would have the freedom of choice!


This is not a new concept, and I didn't dream this up. I'm not nearly that smart. But I am smart enough to see what is happening to our country, our freedom of choice, and what all 148 of our trading partners are doing.

This is a win-win situation. Consumers will have the ability to decide which products to buy not only by brand name but by country of origin. With more products manufactured in the U.S., more jobs will be created, thereby increasing the tax base.

Let's demand that more products with "Made in the U.S.A." labels be available on the store shelves!
So, what can you do right now that doesn't cost a penny, and yet could be a great investment in your future?
Get Involved!

I guess this whole China thing was a blessing in disquise. People want American made products. Well...except for the underseved and unbanked...they will still shop by the likes of Walmart for the exported, cheap stuff.

Sounds like recycling to me....some people do it and some dont.....now here are the choices when we shop---American/foreign made, organic, cheap, expensive, trendy,legal, illegal,coupons, wants/needs etc.......

I wish that I could find products made in America so I could buy them.

It will come full circle back to the United States. We must remember, that until the EU is fully up and running, which is close, we are still the economic force to every country in the world. Without us...they would have nothing. We have already gone through our industrial/manufaturing age. That is what made us rich. Then over the past few decades and more so most recently, industrial and manufacturing jobs were outsourced to other countries. And economically, it was ok, since we, being the richest country in the world, could well afford to buy these products imported from other countries. But now as we go down this slipperly slope of lost jobs and lower wages and higher taxes, WE, THE RICH ONES, will no longer be able to afford these imports. Even as cheap as they may seem. The inevitable solution: bring jobs back to this country, and start all over again. Full circle!

Do you buy your new or used car from a Rotterdam/Schenectady dealer so some of that tax can stay in the community ?

Quoted from Sombody

Do you buy your new or used car from a Rotterdam/Schenectady dealer so some of that tax can stay in the community ?

I would if I could find what I needed there, but no, I usually end up buying from somewhere in Albany County.  The fact is that the good/service has to be what the customer is looking for.  If that's not there, they won't spend their money there.

I've bought most of my vehicles in Schdy County previously but the last time I tried to buy a vehicle they didn't have what I wanted and I had to buy in Oneonta.

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A great MySpace group!

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r288/Makatd/clip_image002MA14615477-0001.jpg

American Dream Federation

MISSION:

To keep the American Dream alive by ensuring American remains the Land of Opportunity!

Click the link and join us: The American Dream Federation
http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vZ3JvdXBzLm15c3BhY2UuY29tL0FtZXJpY2FuRHJlYW1GZWRlcmF0aW9u

This is the only MySpace group endorsed by the U. S. Business and Industry Council.

Click the link: Other Organizations Fighting for Common Sense on Trade Issues
http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmFtZXJpY2FuZWNvbm9taWNhbGVydC5vcmcvbGlua3MuYXNw
Scroll down to: "News and Opinion Sites"

We're the first listing in this category!
_______________________________

This is the only MySpace group listed by Shop For America.

Click the link: Shop For America - Links
http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNob3Bmb3JhbWVyaWNhLmNvbS9wYWdlcy5waHA/cGFnZWlkPTMw
Scroll down to: "Made in USA sites"

We're the first listing in this category!
_______________________________

This is the only MySpace group endorsed by All Right Magazine.

Click the link: There's the ADF - Top of Page!
http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodH.....b3dwYWdlJnBpZD0yMw==
_______________________________



Good job The American Dream Federation group members!

Obviously, we are having an impact!

We are making a difference!!
_______________________________

Not a member yet?


Click on the banner and Join Us:

Feel Free to share this with your friends also! (As I am)

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‘Buy Local’ movement has taken root, now help it grow

    Thank you for your editorial of Dec. 5, “Take state Buy Local program to next level,” encouraging the purchase of local farm products. There are many reasons to buy local foods, from the economic and environmental impact, to the increasing health concerns about foreign-grown produce.
    In recent months, I brought together New York farmers, industry leaders, state agency heads and legislators — upstate and down — to explore ways to expand markets for New York products. We held hearings, hosted farm visits and took a delegation on a tour of wholesale markets in New York City. The evidence we gathered suggests there is not only a “buy local” movement taking root in New York, with restaurants and grocers reporting increased demand for New York products, but there is ample opportunity to increase the market share of these local products.
    Part of the answer is to expand the Pride of New York program, both in its capacity and its scope. But there is much more to do. Our state must promote programs that support farmers, improve infrastructure to move products from farm to market, and enact policies that inform consumers about the benefits of buying local.
    As part of this effort, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I recently proposed investing $50 million to develop downstate wholesale agricultural markets for upstate products and $50 million for a no-interest revolving loan program for farm equipment. I also recently proposed legislation that would call for “food miles” labels and country of origin labels on certain foods. Currently, the average food item travels 1,500 miles before arriving on our dinner tables, burning lots of fossil fuel and often coming from countries with less rigorous health standards.
    The simple fact is New York’s consumers increasingly want fresh, locally produced foods. Upstate New York has the ability to supply these products. Together, we can improve our health, our environment and our economy by creating a better link between what we grow and what
we eat.
SEN. DAVID J. VALESKY
Oneida
The writer is a ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Joe Smith started the day early having set his alarm clock (made in Japan) for 6am. While his coffee pot (made in China) was perking, he shaved with his electric razor (made in Hong Kong). He put on a dress shirt (made in Sri Lanka), designer jeans (made in Singapore) and his shoes (made in Korea). After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet (made in India! ) he sat down with his calculator (made in Mexico) to see how much he could spend today. After setting his watch (made in Taiwan) to the radio (made in India) he got in his car (made in Germany) filled it with GAS (from Saudi Arabia) and continued his search for a good paying AMERICAN JOB. At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day checking his Computer (made in Malaysia), Joe decided to relax for a while. He put on his sandals (made in BRAZIL) poured himself a glass of wine (made in France) and turned on his TV (made in Indonesia), and then wondered why he can't find a good paying job in.. AMERICA.....

America is the nuclear power plant for the world economy and world standards----so, who is watching the gauges????

Okay...so the senator is talking 'farming'. That is all well and good. I, and I'm sure others, are in total agreement with him. But what about other jobs? Ya know, like all of the jobs that were outsourced. I guess then college is out of the question for the younger generation since there may only be farming jobs left for them. And God only knows that some of the younger generation doesn't have a clue what 'hard work is'.