Jul 4
Happy Independence Day!
icon1 James Towner | icon2 Arizona | icon4 07 4th, 2008| icon3No Comments »

Have a great holiday everyone!

Jul 3

So now that we’ve covered our favorite local places to eat and drink, here’s a list of our other local favorite businesses in no particular order.

Stinkweeds - Best indie record store in the Valley.

Souvia - Cute tea accessories

ASU Art Museum Shop - The best gifts you will find in the valley.

Desert Botanical Garden - One of the world’s finest collections of desert plants

Judy’s Body Waxing - Judy’s Body Waxing & Harmonic Healing Center

Dr. Warwick - Chiropractor

Elijah Aller - Designs and makes flameworked glass. Beautiful!

The Back Rub Company - The Valley’s Leader in On-Site Corporate Chair Massage.

JessieBell Designs - Artwork inspired by the natural environment around us. Organic t-shirt screening.

Beads Galore - All your beading needs.

aka Green - Green Building supplies. Head here instead of Home Depot or Lowes.

Favorite local non-profits:

Hero’s Quest 2008 - Raising money for the 100 Club. The mission of the 100 Club of Arizona is to provide financial assistance to families of public safety officers and firefighters who are seriously injured or killed in the line-of-duty, and to provide resources to enhance their safety and welfare.

Arizona Animal Welfare League - The largest and oldest no-kill shelter in Arizona

Rescue a Golden of Arizona - Awesome golden retriever rescue group. We’ve had three great dogs from this group.

Local First Arizona - Supporting Arizona’s local business.

Jul 1

Here is a list of our favorite locally owned places to dine at in Arizona. We love trying out new flavors and the unique atmospheres these local restaurants provide. If you’re tired of the same stuff at chains give one of these a try. This list barely scratches the surface of local establishments in Arizona, what are some of your favorites?

Tempe

Phoenix

Scottsdale

Yuma

Flagstaff

Tucson

Jun 30


Photo by: hlkljgk

Considering Starbucks’ ever growing world domination and it being Independents Week and all, now is as good a time as ever to discover some fantastic local flavor in the aromatic and caffeinated wonder that is coffee and tea.  With so many options, conveniently broken down by location, you have no excuse to get your morning boost from anywhere but a locally owned business.

Maricopa

  • Trax Cafe: 19395 N John Wayne Pkwy Maricopa, AZ 85239, (520) 494-7300

Scottsdale

  • Souvia Tea: Locations in Phoenix and Scottsdale
  • Mandala Tea Room: 7027 E 5th Ave Scottsdale, AZ 85251-3205, (480) 423-3411
  • Cupz Coffee: Locations in Tempe (nearly on the ASU campus), Gilbert, and Scottsdale

Tempe

Phoenix

  • Lux Coffeebar: 4404 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85012-1815, (602) 266-6469
  • Willow House: 1722 W van Buren St Phoenix, AZ 85007-2418, (602) 252-0272
  • Fair Trade Cafe: 1020 N 1st Ave Phoenix, AZ 85003-1651, (602) 354-8150

Tucson

Glendale

Chandler/Gilbert

  • Coffee Rush: 1949 W Ray Rd 40 Chandler, AZ 85224-4009, (480) 855-9815 or 1555 N Gilbert Rd Gilbert, AZ 85234-2322, (480) 507-0930
  • Cupz Coffee: Locations in Tempe (nearly on the ASU campus), Gilbert, and Scottsdale

Carefree

Yuma

  • Coffee Bean Espresso Bar and Cafe: 2450 S 4th Ave Yuma, AZ 85364-8573, (928) 317-0284

Flagstaff

Bisbee

What are some of your favorite locally owned coffee and tea places in AZ? Leave us a comment including a location and what you love about your favorite local java stop.  Cheers!

Jun 29


Independents week is this week and is a national event to promote local businesses across the country. Here in Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano is supporting this cause and has declared June 30 - July 6 as independents week! Support your local economy and its uniqueness by making an extra effort to shop locally this week.

Why support local business? Check out this list of reasons from Local First Arizona:

  • For every two jobs national retailers bring to a community, three jobs are lost as a result of local businesses closing down.
  • When you shop locally-owned businesses, your money is re-circulated over and over and creates up to 75% more tax revenue to our community and state.
  • Independent businesses raise the standard of living in your community because they take their profits and buy products and services from other local businesses, thus creating more and more tax revenues needed for the community to thrive.
  • Millions of dollars of tax revenue subsidies handed to chains by financially-starved local governments drain even more tax revenue from our community and state.
  • Blighted empty shopping areas are created in your community when chain stores re-locate to a more lucrative shopping center, or leave altogether. Literally hundreds of big stores are abandoned each year across the United States.
  • Independent businesses are unique enterprises that contribute to the character of our community by offering a more diverse selections of goods and services.
  • Independent businesses provide meaningful service with a personal touch. It matters to them that you are satisfied and will come back again.
  • Carefully planned predatory pricing practices have allowed national chains to establish virtual monopolies as they drive local competition out of business. And then they raise their prices.

Take the pledge to support local business this week and pick up your golden ticket to save 20% at participating locations. No matter where you are in the country this is a great week to support local business and help keep your money local and your neighborhood unique.

Look forward to my list of recommended local businesses coming later this week. Until then see what some other Arizonan’s favorite local spots are here.

Local First Arizona

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