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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
Joan Leitzer
Peter Metsch
Port City Studios
Stacy Mitchell
Tsunami Tattoo
Videoport
World Over Imports For more on becoming a Sustaining Member, please see the Membership Application or contact us.
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Tips for Promoting the Campaign
The visibility and impact of Portland Buy Local depends on you. The more you do to promote the message of buying locally in your own business or organization, the more influence this effort will have on people's choices. And the greater the benefit to your own business or organization: according to a survey we conducted in January 2007, businesses with the most Buy Local materials in their stores reported experiencing a bigger boost from the campaign.
Here are some ideas for what individuals, local businesses, and nonprofit community organizations can do to strengthen Portland's local economy and help achieve the mission of Portland Buy Local.
Flyers You can Download and Distribute
4 Ways Your Rebate Check Can Help You and Maine's Economy (8.5x11 Flyer)
4 Ways Your Rebate Check Can Help You and Maine's Economy (Bag Stuffers)
Why Support Locally Owned Businesses?
Why Support Your Local Farmers Market?
Eat Local: A Map of Local Food Retailers
Resources for Greening Your Business
Read more about why supporting locally owned businesses is vital to Portland's economic, social, and environmental health.
Sell Buy Local T-Shirts & Tote Bags at Your Business
Selling Portland Buy Local's fashionable black tee-shirts (American-made) and popular tote bags (made locally by Portmanteau) at your business or organization is a great way to help get the message out and remind your customers of the importance of supporting locally owned businesses. The t-shirts also make great work apparel and gifts for staff. Here's an order form with details on sizes and ordering. You can also use the form to order more Buy Local bumper stickers, thank-you cards, and gift tags.
Using the Buy Local Logo in Your Ads
Business and nonprofit members are entitled to use our logo in advertising and communications, as outlined in our Logo Usage Guidelines. Here are a few examples of how members have used the logo in their ads: Downeast Maytag, Longfellow Books, Videoport. Please contact us for an electronic file of our logo.
Member-to-Member Discounts
Would you like to offer fellow Buy Local businesses a discount on your goods or services? Contact us and we'll post your offer here.
Organizational Documents
Visit this section for annual reports, board meeting minutes, mission statement, bylaws, and more.
Candidate Questionnaires
PIBCA distributed a questionnaire to city council candidates prior to the November 2007 election. All of the candidates replied and their responses were forwarded to Buy Local members. (PIBCA does not endorse candidates. Please see this letter from the board describing the process in more detail.) Here we have archived the responses of the three winners: John Anton, Jill Duson, and Daniel Skolnik.
Do Buy Local Campaigns Work?
A growing body of evidence indicates that buy local campaigns, which are now underway in about 40 cities, are changing people's shopping habits. A nationwide survey in January 2008 found that independent businesses in cities with active buy local campaigns experienced a larger increase in sales over the holiday season than those in places without such campaigns. A buy local campaign in Bellingham, Washington, has strongly influenced residents' shopping choices, according to a 2006 study by a market research firm. Our own February 2007 survey of businesses participating in the Portland Buy Local campaign found that over 60 percent said the campaign had had a "positive impact" on their business, generating increased sales and greater customer awareness and appreciation of their enterprise.
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