By Alex Gladu, Independent We Stand
It’s no wonder that Saint Petersburg, Florida, was recently named one of Orbitz’s top 10 best U.S. cities for a long weekend. The coastal city offers the sunny beaches that are oh-so characteristic of Florida, along with a bustling local vibe full of “food trucks, indie book stores and brew pubs.” Keep Saint Petersburg Local, a local affiliate of the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), works to cultivate and celebrate this local vibe, so that residents and visitors alike can enjoy every weekend in St. Pete.
Like so many buy local groups across the country, Keep Saint Petersburg Local represents the wide array of small and locally owned businesses that make up its community. Those businesses range from restaurants and boutique hotels to specialty shops and landscaping companies. Together, these businesses create that local vibe that landed St. Pete on Orbitz’s list – and Keep Saint Petersburg Local highlights them in and around the community through entertaining events and creative campaigns.
This spring, Keep Saint Petersburg Local has encouraged the community to “Spring into Local” by highlighting local business members that help residents get outside and stay active around the community, including yoga studios, fitness trainers and health food shops. Springtime events give residents another reason to get outdoors and experience the community’s small businesses. For instance, Keep Saint Petersburg Local has supported Painting in the Park, an annual event for families and residents of all ages. The event features music, kid-friendly activities, local brews and merchandise from local artisans.
Clearly, Saint Petersburg is already known for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown district. Keep Saint Petersburg Local ensures that the city will stay that way by supporting the unique and vibrant businesses that make it so. It’s a year-round job that takes on new forms and new phases season after season, but the result is a more robust local culture no matter what time of year it is. For more information about Keep Saint Petersburg Local, visit www.keepsaintpetersburglocal.org.
