HE'S VOCAL ABOUT SHOPPING LOCAL

SHOP LOCAL - "SHOP BROOKLYN" FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

Locals "shopping local" and tourists visiting Brooklyn will enjoy "Brooklyn Bonuses" at retailers and restaurants all across our diverse borough this Holiday Season! 

On Friday, November 27, the second annual "Shop Brooklyn," an initiative of the Brooklyn Borough President's Office, will officially kick off the holiday shopping season. Shop Brooklyn is an awareness campaign highlighting the uniqueness of Brooklyn's neighborhoods and thriving shopping corridors, re-introducing Brooklyn to Brooklynites, and inviting tourists and visitors to experience this cultural and shopping destination--not just during the holidays, but year-round. Participating retailers, restaurants, bars, and other service providers will display a "Shop Brooklyn" logo in shop windows and offer special "Brooklyn Bonuses" on November 27 ("Brooklyn Friday") and each weekend through December 25.  

Joining BP Markowitz at the Shop Brooklyn press conference kickoff on November 24 outside participating merchant Greenlight Book Store in Fort Greene were Wellington Sharpe, president, Fulton Area Business (FAB) Alliance; Joe Chan, president, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership; Jeanette Nigro, vice president, economic development, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce; Jessica Stockton Bagnulo, co-owner, Greenlight Book Store; and Deb Howard, executive director, Pratt Area Community Council. 

"You could say I'm very vocal about shopping local!" said Borough President Marty Markowitz. "Let's face it, there's nothing like Brooklyn during the holidays when the lights and the festive spirit inspire us all. I urge all Brooklynites to grab a loved one and 'go to town,'--in this case, to Main Street in your neighborhood. Shout it from the rooftops: 'Brooklyn's got the goods!'"  

"It's a proven fact that dollars spent locally stay in the community," said Carl Hum, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. "What better way is there to celebrate the holidays and our beautiful borough? After all, local shopping initiatives are among the most effective ways to promote and sustain our local economy."

Downtown Brooklyn Partnership President Joe Chan said, "Downtown Brooklyn has over 400 stores ranging from boutiques and local favorites, to national retailers and world-class restaurants. The Shop Brooklyn campaign will attract even more shoppers to Downtown, as well as to the other shopping districts throughout the borough." 

According to Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID's Irene LoRe, "Main Streets are alive and well and living in the heart of Brooklyn. Supporting local shops encourages entrepreneurship and innovation, and says that you care about the unique charm that small and family businesses represent. A thriving business creates more jobs and contributes tax revenue, all of which proves that small businesses fuel the economy." 

"Every time someone shops locally, it helps the neighborhood flourish with busy stores and jobs for our residents," said Robert Howe of the Merchants of Third Avenue Civic Improvement Association in Bay Ridge. 

In East Williamsburg, Betty Cooney of Graham Avenue BID advised, "Don't max out your credit card! Shop locally and shop Brooklyn for the best selection and price right in the nabe!" 

Caitlin Dourmashkin of the Northside Merchants Association and Michael Rafferty of the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business Improvement District glow with neighborhood pride when they say, respectively, "I'm excited to bring Shop Brooklyn to Williamsburg's Northside retail community," and "I love the holiday season in Bed-Stuy!"

"NYC & Company has been encouraging Brooklynites and all New Yorkers to go local and experience the various cultural and shopping destinations in all five boroughs," said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta. "Shop Brooklyn is a great way to drive more business to the local communities and highlight what Brooklyn has to offer as a great shopping destination." 

Why "Shop Brooklyn"?  

Tourists Shop Brooklyn for the: 

• Unique gifts: Brooklyn is "Proud Home to Everyone from Everywhere"--when you "Shop Brooklyn" you take a global shopping tour! From cutting-edge and classic art and design to traditional crafts and artisanal products--Brooklyn's boutiques and galleries have gifts to suit every taste
• Food: Dining in Brooklyn during your shopping trip means sampling every cuisine on the planet!\
• Culture: You can schedule time to experience the offerings of Brooklyn's world-famous creative community and cultural institutions

Brooklynites Shop Brooklyn for the: 

• Friendship: Local businesses owners are your neighbors
• Personal service: Local service is better service
• Local economic growth: Keeping dollars in Brooklyn nurtures our local economy
• Safety: Vibrant shopping districts keep our streets well-lighted and safe
• Community benefits: Local businesses support the good work of local nonprofits
• Environmental rewards: Shopping local is "green"!
• Good exercise: And of course, walking down your local commercial corridor keeps you fit!

The "Shop Brooklyn" campaign, coordinated by the Brooklyn Borough President's Office, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and local business improvement districts, merchants associations and local development corporations, is a simple reminder of all the great reasons to "shop local." Last December marked the premier Shop Brooklyn holiday event, which was followed by a special Valentine's Day Shop Brooklyn in February as well as Shop Brooklyn Boutique Fashion Nights last July. 

For more information on Shop Brooklyn, visit www.ishopbrooklyn.com . The website will be fully functional on the first day of Shop Brooklyn, Friday, November 27.