Chicago Loves Local: Supporting Our Small Businesses
Next weekend marks Small Business Saturday, and Chicago is rallying its residents with the first-ever “Chicago Loves Local” campaign. This new initiative is a call to action for everyone to patronize the diverse small businesses across all 77 of the city’s unique community areas. By shopping local, we directly support jobs, strengthen our city’s economy, and help preserve the unique character of our beloved neighborhoods.
Why Local Businesses Need Your Support Now More Than Ever
Chicago’s small businesses are facing significant challenges. Many local shops struggle to compete with larger entities that have better marketing resources, often losing neighborhood customers to businesses elsewhere. Charlie Wein, Director of Marketing and Communications with the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, highlights this, noting that the campaign evolved from a need to promote in-neighborhood shopping and expand to other community areas.
Beyond marketing disparities, some businesses are experiencing even deeper struggles. Carolina Juarez, business district manager with the Rogers Park Business Alliance, reports that businesses are suffering “between 20-to-30% less sales because of immigration enforcement.” This creates a climate where people are “scared to come out to shop,” a sentiment echoed by Javier Yanez, Executive Director of the Pilsen Chamber of Commerce, who describes the impact as “devastating” with constant “emotional distress in the community.”
The Vital “Trickle Down Effect” of Shopping Local
Business owners, especially in communities like Pilsen, are urgently asking for “traffic” – more customers. The importance of local support extends far beyond a single transaction. As Yanez explains, many businesses, particularly in areas like Rogers Park, are family-owned. When these businesses thrive, it creates a positive cycle: local owners and employees support other local non-profits and businesses, reinvesting money directly back into the community. When businesses struggle, the community feels it; when they succeed, the entire community benefits from a shared sense of ownership and well-being.
“Chicago Loves Local” Campaign: Bridging the Gap
The “Chicago Loves Local” campaign is a collaborative effort by the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, the Chicago is With You Task Force, the Rogers Park Business Alliance, and the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights. This partnership aims to overcome the marketing and outreach challenges small businesses face by providing centralized promotion and incentives.
Organizers are making it easy and rewarding to participate. The campaign will feature businesses from all 77 community areas on Instagram. Shoppers can look forward to an interactive map to discover local gems, as well as punch cards and other incentives that offer chances to win prizes by simply shopping local.
| Challenge Facing Small Businesses | How “Chicago Loves Local” Responds |
|---|---|
| Loss of local customers to better-marketed businesses | Centralized promotion and features across 77 community areas |
| Decreased sales due to community fear or economic pressure | Driving essential “traffic” and creating shopping incentives (punch cards, prizes) |
| Difficulty affording individual marketing efforts | Collective marketing and outreach, fostering community engagement |
| Economic distress and impact on family-owned businesses | Strengthening local economies and preserving neighborhood character through patronage |
Frequently Asked Questions About Supporting Local
- What is Small Business Saturday?
Small Business Saturday is an annual event that encourages consumers to shop at local small businesses during the holiday season. It typically falls on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. - What is the “Chicago Loves Local” campaign?
It’s a new initiative urging Chicagoans to patronize small businesses across all 77 community areas, partnered by local chambers and task forces to boost the city’s economy and support local jobs. - How can I find participating businesses?
Organizers recommend checking the “Chicago Loves Local” campaign on Instagram for featured businesses and keeping an eye out for an interactive map. - Who are the main partners behind this campaign?
The campaign is a partnership between the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, the Chicago is With You Task Force, the Rogers Park Business Alliance, and the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
This Small Business Saturday and throughout the coming months, make a conscious effort to explore and support the unique shops, restaurants, and services in your neighborhood and beyond. Your choice to shop local is a direct investment in the vibrancy and resilience of Chicago’s diverse communities.
Chicago Loves Local Backs Small Business
