Unwrap Chicago Campaign Hopes to Pump $100 Million Into Chicago’s Economy

Local First Chicago, in conjunction with the Department of Business and Consumer Protection (BACP) and the City of Chicago Small Business Center, has officially launched the 2013 Unwrap Chicago campaign for 2013.

The campaign encourages residents to use locally owned independent businesses when shopping during the holiday season.

Local First Chicago (LFC) works to build thriving, local communities by educating citizens, community groups and policy makers on the positive and enduring local economic and community benefits gained from local, independently owned businesses.

LFC is a network of locally owned, independent businesses, community organizations and residents joined together to keep money and character in our neighborhoods and build a thriving local living economy.

In addition to the Unwrap Chicago campaign, Local First is launching a year-long program called Eat, Drink & Buy Local 365. This program will continue past the holiday season and promote the use of local businesses year round by encouraging residents to pledge to shift at leastÂ $365Â a year, per household, to local businesses. By shifting that much yearly, it can have a more thanÂ $100 millionÂ positive impact onÂ ChicagoÂ neighborhoods.

The campaign includes:

A pledge for citizens to shift at leastÂ $365Â per household, per year of their spending from chain stores to locally owned stores
City Council resolution acknowledging Eat, Drink & Buy Local 365
Illinois House Resolution 606 supporting locally owned businesses proposed byÂ Rep. Maria Antonia Berrios and passed onÂ October 22, 2013
Web pages for every participating neighborhood and a map of all neighborhoods
Calendar of holiday events in neighborhoods across the cityÂ www.eatdrinkbuylocal.org

“Thank you to the manyÂ ChicagoÂ residents who will take ‘The Pledge’ to shift a percentage of their holiday shopping dollars to locally owned stores, restaurants and entertainment establishments,” said Small Business Center Chief Small Business Officer,Â Roxanne Nava. “Together, with Unwrap Chicago, we can keep millions of dollars inÂ Chicago.”

“The holiday season is key to so many locally owned independent businesses, and can set the tone for the rest of the year for many,” saidÂ Peter Locke, Board President, Local First Chicago. “This is why it’s so critical for residents to consider shifting their holiday spend away from large chain stores to locally owned businesses. That money goes right back into the community, strengthening the neighborhoods ofÂ Chicago.”

Those looking for more information about Unwrap Chicago or wanting to take the Eat, Drink & Buy Local 365 pledge can visit Local First Chicago’s website atÂ www.eatdrinkbuylocal.org.