Monadnock Buy Local invites all locally owned businesses in the Monadnock Region to participate in this year's Shift Your Shopping campaign running from November 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017. 

Shift Your Shopping includes our signature community event called Plaid Friday on Friday, November 24, 2017 and a newer event called Cider Monday on Monday, November 27, 2017. 

"During the winter holiday season, Monadnock Buy Local works extra hard to ensure that our spending matches the community values we support," said Jen Risley, Executive Director of Monadnock Buy Local.  "To make our 'think local first' message stronger, we participate in the Shift Your Shopping campaign.  This national movement encourages citizens to support job creation and economic growth through their holiday purchases at locally owned and independent businesses."

Plaid Friday on Friday, November 24th is a day when community members show their support for local and independent businesses by wearing plaid.  The event was created in Oakland, CA and spread to the Monadnock Region seven years ago.  Last year, over 200 individuals registered to participate throughout the region and Monadnock Buy Local is making plans to attract an even bigger response this year. 
 
"The store was busy all day [during last year's Plaid Friday].  Lots of customers know about Plaid Friday and are wearing plaid -- even babies," said Françoise Bourson, owner of Joseph's Coat in Peterborough, NH.  "In fact we were so busy ringing up customers, we forgot to take any pictures."

Cider Monday is a direct and delicious assault on the Monday after Thanksgiving, infamously known as Cyber Monday. It's an opportunity to connect in-person and pause to reflect on the hidden impacts of shopping with online giants. Locally owned businesses participating in Cider Monday will offer community members a warm welcome and a cup of delicious cider on Monday, November 27th. 
 
"Customers are promised cider and smiling servers that will not crash," said Willard Williams, co-owner of the Toadstool Bookshops in Keene, Peterborough and Milford and founder of Cider Monday.  "As always, we'll offer personal service, advice and the opportunity to touch and try items -- with no logins or passwords necessary!" 
 
Participation in these events is free. Monadnock Buy Local will share promotional materials and inspiration on its website that any business is welcome to use.  Businesses are encouraged to connect with their customers and let them know that they plan to celebrate Plaid Friday on November 24th and/or Cider Monday on November 27th.

This year's Shift Your Shopping and Plaid Friday sponsors include Badger Balm, Brie & Vessie, CC&D's Kitchen Market, CJ the DJ, The Cheshire Horse, The Economizer, The Farm Concessions & Cafe, The Fitzwilliam Inn, Hannah Grimes Marketplace, Howard's Leather, The Inn at East Hill Farm, Korvin Appliance, Joan's Personal Chef Service, Katz Architect, Korvin Appliance, LuvINK&Paper, MB Massage Studio, Monadnock Food Co-op, Nest: Mother Child Home, Of Moose & Mountain, One Stop Country Pet Supply, Steele's Stationers, Ted's Shoe & Sport, Walpole Mountain View Winery, VizionZ and Yoga with Josephine.

Shift Your Shopping promotional tools, social media posts and other updates will be posted at https://monadnocklocal.org/shiftyourshopping.