Be the Change Blog

A delicious way to support the local economy

Ring in 2007 with a $20.07 lunch or $30.07 dinner at over 170 of DC's finest restaurants during DC Restaurant week.  In addition to fabulous food at budget-friendly prices, you will be supporting your local economy.  Of course, all the fancy NW restaurants are on the list, but I recommend that you use this as an opportunity to explore some Capitol Hill flavor.  If you have been saving Belga, Bistro Bis or Sonoma for a special occasion, now is the time to get a 3-course prix fix meal at an affordable price.  Or you could push the boundaries a bit and visit Cafe NoZU at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, a jewel of a building in the up and coming Southwest. 

By the way, you'd better hurry.  I just tried to make a reservation at Sonoma for Friday evening and they were totally booked!  But you might be able to sneak in during the week, and from what I hear, it will be well worth it.

By patronizing a local independent business, you will be making a difference in the community.  Buying local saves on energy costs, keeps our neighborhoods interesting, and keeps your dollars in your own community.  So beat those post-holiday blues with a fabulous night out that you can feel good about.

Celebrate Independents Week!

New York green attorney Stephen Filler turned me on to a wonderful event created by the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA).  They are celebrating "Independents Week" by asking people to purchase as much as possible from your community's independently-owned businesses between July 1-7th. 

According to AMIBA, "Thomas Jefferson envisioned a nation of shopkeepers, so what better time to honor the home town businesses that make our communities unique, keep entrepreneurism alive, give back to the community in time, talent, goods and services, and so much more."

Did you know that buying locally keeps your money circulating in your community three times longer than buying at chains?  Buying locally also helps the environment and reduces the burden on taxpayers.  Click here to view AMIBA's report on The Benefits of Doing Business Locally.

Residents of Capitol Hill in Washington, DC are strong supporters of their local businesses.  We at Hoopla Traders are grateful to the crowds who come out to Barracks Row on Second Saturday to meet their neighbors and view art at Hoopla, Alvear, Homebody and all of the Barracks Row restaurants.  We are fortunate to have Barracks Row Main Street, an award-winning historic main street project, to help us keep the community safe and inviting.  We hope that the Independents Week challenge will encourage even more peope to enjoy the benefits of shopping in their own communities.