Originally published in the Monadnock Shopper News (MBL Media Sponsor)
Ken Sheldon (Fred Marple) with friends visiting MindFull Books & Ephemera
Last year, perhaps you noticed one, maybe two people decked out in plaid the day after Thanksgiving. (Maybe it was you wearing plaid – if so, thank you!) This year, Monadnock Buy Local wants you to see dozens and dozens of people wearing plaid on November 23rd. Why November 23rd? Why plaid? Please read on!
November 23rd, the Friday after Thanksgiving, means Black Friday to most; but Monadnock Buy Local and other independent business alliances across the country are urging citizens to take back the Friday after Thanksgiving and celebrate Plaid Friday instead. Skip the long lines and frantic crowds, and enjoy a different kind of shopping experience – a day that is enjoyable and leisurely, that strengthens relationships and supports our local economy. We encourage you to take some extra time to connect with local merchants and their staff on Plaid Friday, while shopping for products and services for some special people (or pets) on your holiday gift giving list.
Where does the plaid come in? We ask citizens to dress in plaid on November 23rd to make their support for locally-owned businesses and community visible, reinforcing their own commitment while giving others a reminder to think local first. Wearing plaid, a fabric with unique colors woven together into a larger pattern, represents the many diverse independent businesses and organizations that together form the tapestry of a strong local economy.
Last year, ten independent businesses acted as ambassadors, starting conversations about buying local and answering questions about Plaid Friday. Staff took photographs of shoppers donning plaid for our Plaid Friday Collage. This year, we’ll once again have Plaid Friday Hubs and, also like last year, we’ll raffle off items donated by our members throughout the day. Stay updated on raffles, hubs and more at:
http://monadnocklocal.org/plaidfriday
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Plaid Friday is the kick-off event for our 2012 Shift Your Shopping Campaign, which combines the efforts of more than 150 local business alliances, like Monadnock Buy Local, and represents over 38,000 locally-owned businesses. Shift Your Shopping calls for citizens to make the 10% Shift – which means shifting 10% of what you normally spend on holiday gifts and spending that amount (or more!) at locally-owned businesses and organizations.
These enterprises are owned by your friends, neighbors and fellow community members. By making the 10% Shift your holiday shopping becomes more than just a gift to your loved one; but a gift to our local economy and community.
Let’s take back Black Friday and celebrate Plaid Friday. We hope to see you, your friends, neighbors and family wearing plaid on November 23rd – and reminding us all to think local first this holiday season and beyond.
Make your participation known, join our Plaid Friday event on Facebook
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