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.
SUSTAINING MEMBERS
Thank you to those members who have contributed beyond their regular dues:
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.
Buy Bowdoinham by Darcie Moore, Times Record, Mar. 25, 2009
The success of the grassroots Portland Buy Local Campaign has lead to the unveiling of the Buy Bowdoinham Campaign.
Loyal Customers Keep Local Businesses Going WCSH News Center, Mar. 10, 2009
Click the play button in the controls at the bottom of the image to watch the segment.
To Beat Recession, Indies Launch Buy-Local Push by John Tozzi, Business Week, Feb. 27, 2009
Amid the sinking national economy, some small-business owners are saying buy-local efforts have helped insulate them from the worst of the downturn.
Portland Buy Local is featured in the slide show.
Enrich Thy Neighbor, Portland The Phoenix, Dec. 10, 2008 "If people shift just 10 percent of the spending they're already doing from a national chain to a local, independent business, that shift alone would put millions into the Portland economy," says Susan Tran, a founding member of Portland Buy Local and co-owner of Tsunami Tattoo.
Maine Watch: Maine Retailers & the Holiday Shopping Season MPBN, Nov. 28, 2008 Maine Watch with Jennifer Rooks, which airs on MPBN, 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. Follow the link to watch online.
Buy Local and Help the Community WCSH 6 News, July 2, 2008 "Members say that when buying products you should not only look for the best price, but also what is best for your local community."
The Phoenix Best Of Portland Readers Poll 2008 "By making it easier to identify locally owned businesses, Portland Buy Local helps us keep our hard-earned bucks in town, supporting the city’s economy and fending off the chains."
Commentary: Buying Local Gives Big Boost By Stacy Mitchell, Portland Press Herald, Nov. 23, 2007 Our holiday shopping choices can make a big difference to Maine's economy.
Buy Local Campaign Enters its Second Year By Kate Bucklin, The Forecaster, August 8, 2007 The Portland Independent Business & Community Alliance is now in its second year of making sure independent retailers remain viable.
Unchained & Independent By Avery Yale Kamila, The Maine Switch, July 3, 2007 The Portland Buy Local movement celebrates one year of customer support.
Strength in Numbers By Edward D. Murphy, Portland Press Herald, May 4, 2007 "Portland Buy Local was launched last year as an effort to offer tangible—meaning monetary—support for businesses based in the city. . . In the 10 months that the campaign has been under way, however, the group's definition of 'support' has broadened."
Portland Buy Local Voted "Best Local Cause" by Phoenix Readers The Portland Phoenix, April 19, 2007 "BUY LOCAL is on to something: support local entrepreneurs, encourage unique shops that give Portland character, and keep money circulating in our immediate economy. Check this out: for every hundred bucks spent at a local business, $45 of it stays right here compared to $14 remaining from national chain purchases."
Indie economy By Sara Donnelly, Portland Phoenix, Dec. 6, 2006 "The Buy Local cause — to support businesses in Portland whose owners live in or near the city — is gearing up for its first holiday shopping season."
Editorial: Look for a community's spirit in local stores and shops Portland Press Herald, Nov. 27, 2006. "Local businesses tend to spend their money close to home. And they often foster communal identity in ways that money alone can't measure. . . This season, return the favor when the time to shop arrives."
Ensuring the bucks stop here by Edward D. Murphy, Portland Press Herald, Nov. 21, 2006 "Portland's "Buy Local" effort aims to steer shoppers to businesses deeply rooted in the community."
Retailers in Maine Launch "Buy Local" Campaign All Business, July 27, 2006 "The goal of the campaign is to educate the residents of Portland about the importance of supporting local, independent retailers."
Preserving Maine Street: Buy Local Campaign Launches Bookselling This Week, July 12, 2006 "The group's press conference at Monument Square in Portland the day before the July 4th holiday was a rousing success."
Local retailers unite to reclaim shoppers by Tom Bell, Portland Press Herald, July 4, 2006 "A coalition of Portland businesses this week is launching a "buy local" campaign to win customers back from chain stores. . . Proponents say it's in people's self-interest to buy at independently owned businesses because a large share of the money they spend there remains in the local economy."
Group Urges Shoppers To "Buy Local" News 8, WMTW, July 3, 2006 "A coalition of Portland businesses kicked off a new campaign on Monday that encourages Maine consumers to keep more of their money in the state's economy."
Maine Watch: Maine Retailers & the Holiday Shopping Season