"Buy Local Day" Nov. 28th

The Sonoma City Council has proclaimed November 28, the day after Thanksgiving, as "Buy Local Day" to encourage residents to "think Sonoma first" when shopping for the holiday season.

The day after Thanksgiving is traditionally considered the beginning of the holiday shopping season and is typically one of the busiest shopping days of the year. It is known as "Black Friday" because it is the beginning of the crucial period in which retailers hope to be in the black (i.e. turning a profit).

The City Council's proclamation highlighted the many benefits to the community of shopping locally, including keeping dollars re-circulating in the local economy, fostering local job creation and retention, embracing what makes Sonoma unique and special, preserving entrepreneurship, helping the environment by reducing auto emissions, and supporting the businesses that support many local schools and nonprofits.

Despite Sonoma Valley's relative economic health compared to other communities, many local retailers have faced a significant drop in sales and are reliant on the holiday season to help them pull through into 2009.

The Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce will provide a free "Shop Sonoma Valley" tote bag to each local shopper who brings in a receipt from a local store or restaurant from Black Friday. Tote bags can be picked up at the Chamber at 651 Broadway beginning on Wednesday, December 3rd.

In addition to "thinking Sonoma first" when shopping, local residents are also encouraged to "think Sonoma last". This means when you are comparison shopping for major purchases, giving the local business a chance to match the price you've found elsewhere prior to making your purchase.