National Chains Don’t Need Tax Incentives to Come to Town
Charlotte, North Carolina, may have just become a case study for local economies everywhere. Earlier this year, Walmart announced that it had begun hiring associates for a new facility in Charlotte. As it turns out, the retail giant chose Charlotte without receiving any of the taxpayer-funded financial incentives that have become so synonymous with big business. According to The Charlotte Observer, Walmart requested financial support two years ago for a…read more →
Free Comic Book Day Celebrates Specialty Shops Across the Country
As movies like Batman vs. Superman break box-office records and events like Comic-Con bring A-list celebrities to the stage, the comic industry of today seems far removed from the pages of thin, colorful books. Still, the comic book remains an iconic commodity, and the indie stores that sell them are the gathering places of a vibrant culture. On Saturday, May 6, Free Comic Book Day will celebrate these specialty shops…read more →
Regal Paint Turns a House into a Home for a Wounded Veteran
As a second-generation, family-owned business, Regal Decorating & Paint Center has a history of supporting families. In 1973, Neil Rasmussen first established the Palm Beach based Florida business, which is now owned by Neil’s oldest son, Steve. Not surprisingly, when it came time to support a family outside of Regal Paint’s folds, the PPG Pittsburgh Paint dealer stepped up to turn a house into a home. Thanks to Homes for…read more →
5 Main Street Events to Visit in May
What makes a weekend festival on Main Street so memorable? Perhaps it’s the ambiance created by live music and diverse food, or maybe it’s the cause that a festival supports. No matter the details, local businesses are sure to make a strong showing. With their support, the weekend will be memorable, and the community will be stronger. CarbondALE Brew Fest May 5, 2017 Carbondale, Illinois While some Americans will celebrate…read more →
Top 25 Compete for $25,000 and Bragging Rights
More than 156,000 votes were cast for 242 nominees during the nomination phase of the 2017 “America’s Main Streets” contest. Your votes have been tallied and now we have our Top 25 Quarterfinalists! Main Streets throughout the country and the small businesses found along them are what provide our cities and towns with a sense of place. Small, independently owned businesses also play a large role in the lasting success…read more →
It’s A Wrap From The Rocky Mountains!
It’s official, neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow will keep our Independent We Stand team from visiting businesses and talking about how to leverage their local brand. This week we visited 5 cities, in 5 states, in 5 days all while eating, drinking, shopping, and sleeping locally on our Rocky Mountain Road Trip. Apparently, we brought the weather with us because it rained 4 out of our 5 days, but…read more →
Independent We Stand Heads to Rocky Mountain Main Streets
Most of the time, the beauty of Main Street is that it’s just around the corner. For Independent We Stand, the beauty of Main Street is that it’s all over the country. On Monday, April 24, the IWS team set out on the Great American Rocky Mountain Road Trip, which will span five cities in five different states over the course of five days. The nearly 1,400-mile journey will take…read more →
Why Going Green For Earth Day Means Thinking Local
With Earth Day right around the corner, it’s only natural to start thinking green. As it turns out, thinking green seems to be a year-round habit nowadays. According to Nielsen, more than half of consumers globally are willing to pay more for products and services from companies that are committed to the environment. As our values for spending money change, our shopping habits need to change, too. Buying local –…read more →
5 Iconic Record Stores to Visit on the 10th Annual Record Store Day
There’s something special about vinyl records – and it’s not just the way the music sounds; it’s the record stores that sell them. These brick-and-mortar small businesses bring customers in their community together around a shared love of music. On April 22, record stores around the world will fill with new music and veteran fans for the 10th annual Record Store Day celebration. Although technology has greatly diversified the way…read more →
How to be More Sustainable in Small Business
As Earth Day approaches, companies big and small journey to go where the grass is always greener by swapping their light bulbs for more efficient models, handing out reusable shopping bags and sending electronic receipts. There’s a reason these tactics have caught on, and they’ll serve your small business well for much longer than the month of April. As it turns out, going green isn’t just a seasonal fad —…read more →
