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Visit our online directory of locally owned, independent businesses in Portland — and don’t be surprised by the variety, affordability, and quality of the goods and services you’ll find once you start thinking local! To see how we define "locally owned" and "independent," go to About Us. Portland Buy Local is a campaign of the Portland Independent Business & Community Alliance. Our mission is to support locally owned, independent businesses in Portland, to maintain our unique community character, provide continuing opportunities for entrepreneurs, build community economic strength, and prevent the displacement of community-based businesses by national and global chains. We are affiliated with the national nonprofit American Independent Business Alliance.
Sustaining Members
Thank you to those members who have contributed beyond their regular dues: Benchmark Real Estate
Caravan Beads
Coffee By Design
CornerStone Building
Goodwill Industries of Northern New England
Joan Leitzer
Mechanical Services
Peter Metsch
Planet Dog
Port City Studios
Portland's Downtown District
Portmanteau
Sebago Brewing Co.
Stacy Mitchell
Tsunami Tattoo
Videoport
For more on becoming a Sustaining Member, please see the Membership Application or contact us.
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This holiday season, Portland Buy Local is partnering with Goodwill Industries of Northern New England to help collect donations of clothing and other items to support their human services programs.
Look for donation boxes at these participating businesses: Aikido of Maine, Casco Bay Frames, Clay City Redux, Corduroy Surf Boutique, David Muster's TV, Dodge the Florist, Ferdinand, Longfellow Books, LT's, Inc, North Star Cafe, Planet Dog, Portmanteau, Rosemont Floral, Tsunami Tattoo, and Videoport. |
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 Nov. 30, 2008 — When you support locally owned businesses, you're giving back to our community. Three times as much money stays in our local economy when you choose a locally owned business instead of a chain.
That's the message of our new holiday ad and poster, which was designed by Steve Darnley and Arielle Walrath of Tugboat Creative. Studies show that even a relatively modest shift in spending in favor of independent businesses would produce large benefits for Maine's economy and create many new jobs. To find local businesses that can satisfy your holiday shopping list, visit the IndieBiz Directory.
The ads are running in The Bollard, Forecaster, Island Times, Phoenix, and West End News. The posters will be distributed to members this week. Portland Buy Local is also underwriting programming on MPBN this month. |
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Maine Watch Examines Growing Buy Local Movement |
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 Nov. 28, 2008 — Maine Watch with Jennifer Rooks, which airs on MPBN television and radio, devoted this week's episode to an examination of Portland's growing "buy local" movement and how a gift purchased from a locally owned store affects Maine's economy.
Watch the episode online. |
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In our new Events section, you will find some great holiday events being offered by Portland Buy Local members. Don't miss Shop for A Cause Day, the East End Holiday Stroll, and more. To view the listings or post one of your own, go to the Events page. |
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Great Mixer at the Market House |
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 Members gathered at the Public Market House on Wednesday, Nov. 19, for a terrific member mixer with great food provided by our hosts Big Sky Bread Company, K Horton Specialty Foods, Local Sprouts Cooperative, Maine Beer & Beverage, and Spartan Grill, and beer by Allagash Brewing, which has generously offered to sponsor all of our 2008-09 Member Mixers. Thanks to everyone who attended!
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Members Gather for Annual Meeting |
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 Nov. 10, 2008 — More than 60 members gathered at Sebago Brewing Company on Monday evening for Portland Buy Local's annual member meeting.
In between sampling Sebago's locally brewed ales, members reviewed Buy Local's accomplishments of the last year and discussed plans and ideas for the coming year. (Minutes of the meeting will be posted in the Member Resources section of our web site next week.)
Our thanks to Sebago for hosting and to all of you who were able to participate!
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 Portland Buy Local's new t-shirt is now on sale at the following locations: Books Etc, Coffee by Design, Longfellow Books, Planet Dog, Portland Photo Works, Portmanteau, and Videoport.
The design, in blue on a chocolate brown shirt, is by Elizabeth Mitchell The shirts are made with organic cotton, grown and sewn in the U.S., and locally screen-printed. |
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