SHOP LOCAL

WHY

Because it really makes a huge difference

When you shop local, you invest in your community, in your neighbors, and in yourselves. In this economic climate, the best return on investment is in local business. It is estimated that for every dollar you spend, twice as much will be reinvested in the community by a local store than a national store.

Ten good reasons to shop at locally-owned businesses:

1. Significantly more money re-circulates in San Francisco when purchases are made at locally owned, rather than nationally owned, businesses: More money is kept in the community because locally owned businesses purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Purchasing locally helps grow other businesses as well as the San Francisco tax base.

2. Most new jobs are provided by local businesses: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally, and in San Francisco provide the most new jobs to residents.

3. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of our distinctive character: The unique character of San Francisco is what brought us here and will keep us here. Our tourism businesses also benefit. “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” —Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust

4. Local business owners invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.

5. Customer service is better: Local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service.

6. Competition and diversity leads to more choices: A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.

7. Reduced environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.

8. Public benefits far outweigh public costs: Local businesses require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.

9. Encourages investment in San Francisco: A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.

10. Non-profits receive greater support: Non-profit organizations receive an average 350% greater support from local business owners than they do from non-locally owned businesses.

You can make a difference with a few simple steps

* Make a decision to find and patronize a locally owned business, wherever possible.

* Dine at a local, independent restaurant and treat yourself to a unique and personal dining experience.

* When you shop online with out-of-state companies, it doesn’t contribute a dime to the local economy. So check for members who offer the same products, and some even deliver.

* Look for the (Insert window cling picture), logo when you shop.

* Tell your associates, family, and friends why it is important to shop local. We all create our communities. Let’s continue to create strong and vibrant San Francisco as a legacy for those who follow.

What qualifies as a “local business?”

A local business:

* Is privately held by owners who live in the San Francisco Bay Area

* Is registered in San Francisco and has no corporate headquarters outside

* Can make independent decisions regarding its name and look, as well as all business purchasing, practices and distribution

* Pays for all its marketing, rent and other business expenses

http://www.shoplocalsf.org/

An Outrage in Washington

Dori Maynard, was in Washington DC, had a meeting with a guest at the Hampton Inn.  She arrived early had a brief conversation with another person.  When she started to return to her seat the general manager approached and told her he was escorting her out.  She asked why and was told he had to protect his guests. [No matter that she had a meeting with one of his guests.]  I believe he behaved this way because of her race.  I will not consider staying at the Hampton Inn and I don’t think any one else should either until they apologize, change their policy so managers cannot do things like this.  For the scoop google Maynard Institute,  she has written about it there.  Corporate America is really out to lunch.  Let’s help Dori drive her point home.  Boycott Hampton Inn until they resolve this issue and let Hilton Corporate know what you are doing.

Level the Playing Field

I should have written about this earlier. Have you heard about Level the Playing Field? It’s a San Francisco non-profit that recognizes a hard truth about our society: “work hard, get ahead” isn’t true for everyone. Some people work twice as hard and get only half as far. The playing field isn’t level. So this organization supports high achieving, low income students of color in all sorts of really important ways.

They’re having their 5th Annual Fairness Matters Gala tonight in San Francisco. It’s going to be a great night with excellent food, wonderful company, and a silent auction all in support of a really important cause. Keep Level the Playing Field on your radar, and I’ll remind you earlier next year.

The Big Blue Marble

Just like a lot of other people, artisans and craftspeople have been thinking a lot lately about how their work impacts people and the planet. I’m not talking about artistic impact, I’m talking about things like sustainability and fair wages for their fellow artists in other countries. In fact, there’s a colloquium today at the California College of the Arts on this very subject. I’d go if I had the time.

Here at the gallery, some of our pieces come with a certificate from Harmony Metals and Gems, which guarantees that the jewels don’t come from a conflict zone, the precious metals are recycled and processed in an environmentally responsible way. This isn’t something new for the gallery. I’ve always been careful about the provenance of what we sell here. But it’s gratifying to see that it’s becoming more mainstream. We’ll be seeing more of this kind of thing in years to come as we begin to realize that all of our STUFF comes from somewhere. It makes an object of art all the more meaningful for me to know that it’s journey into my possession didn’t harm another human, or our shared home.

Jazz and Wine Stroll

Friday evening on College Avenue was lovely. The weather was ideal. People were strolling up and down the Avenue. The crowd looked just like Oakland: Old folks, young folks, couples, families, people walking alone, and large groups enjoying the wine and jazz.

I was seriously lucky to have this fabulous quartet right outside the store all evening. It was great to see so many old friends and new faces in the gallery. See you at the next jazz and wine stroll.

Loving Las Vegas

The most recent issue of Harper’s Magazine has an article by Clancy Martin titled “All that Glitters.” It’s an account of a visit Martin made with his brother to the JCK show in Las Vegas back in the 1990s. Martin describes the massive  jewelry show (and the entire jewelry business) as a shifty demimonde stocked with tough guys who speak their own macho argot and hold to their own peculiar codes of honor.

I went to JCK 10 days ago. And while it is full of all sorts of people, some of them indeed quite strange, I didn’t recognize Martin’s characterization. I’ve been going for years, and what I like most, in addition to seeing all of the beautiful jewelry, is to see all of the people I have known for so long. The jewelry business is one of the oldest out there, and in many important ways it remains a business where personal bonds are important. Trust between a wholesaler and a dealer is measured in the years the two have known each other, not in credit scores. What I love about buying jewelry is what I love about selling it: the people.

New Life on College Avenue — and New Sales!

I’m so excited that the empty storefronts in my block are filling up again. It was very hard to watch my neighbors being driven to shut their beautiful boutiques because of the recession. Walking past the empty windows everyday was a horrid reminder of the economy and all that small businesses have had to weather over the past few years. But that’s changing now. My new neighbors include an eyeglass shop, 20-20 Optometry, and a waxing bar, Stript. They both seem very happy to be here. I certainly was very glad to see them move in.

And there’s more moving going on – Cross Roads, the fashionable vintage wear store, has moved from its old location across from Market Hall, and is now closer to me on College Avenue. On Saturday, May 22, I, along with several other Rockridge merchants, will be celebrating their move with discounts. I’ll be offering a 10 percent discount all day. Plan on stopping by!

And if you’re in the area this Friday night, drop in! College Avenue will be lined with the sounds of jazz. The famous Khalil Shaheed will be performing at my boutique and we’ll be open late to applaud him and his young musicians from Oaktown Workshops.

College Avenue Parties

Summer’s here, which means that College Avenue is ready to party. I’m involved in a few of these parties myself. The first one is the Jazz Night on May 14. There’ll be music on the streets, the stores will stay open late, and it’ll all feel very festive. Khalil Shaheed and the kids he teaches at the OakTown Jazz Workshops will be performing outside my gallery. I’m a big fan of Khalil Shaheed — he’s a great musician, and an equally amazing human being. His devotion to the young musicians at the workshops is exemplary.Come and hear them play on Friday, May 14, and enjoy the lively vibe on College Avenue that evening.

A little more than a week from that Friday, on Saturday, May 22, I’m participating in another party. Crossroads Trading Co., the recyclers of fashion, are moving to their new location just a few doors down from me, where Cotton and Company used to be (5858 College Avenue). And they’re having a party from noon to 3 in the new location. To celebrate their move, I’m going to serve delicious cookies from Katrina Rozelle and also offer a 10% discount on everything in my gallery.

If  you’re looking to buy something small and sweet, I have the perfect thing. I’ve just added a new designer to my collection. He makes rings in sterling silver with gold — rings with spinners in the interiors. They’re beautiful – and very affordable, starting at $90. Come check them out.

New Mosaics Worth Showing Off

This week, we’re showcasing the work of a local sculptor, Susan Sanford, at Christensen Heller Gallery. She’s been working with mosaics for 5 years now and she’s quite good. I like her pieces because they’re all made of found materials — everything is recycled and reused. And they’re very colorful. They can be used indoors as ornaments or for decorations – like these mosaic balls, which make for great gifts.

But a lot of her work is ideal for a patio or garden. Imagine colorful, glowing animal figurines and vases. But why imagine? Come by and take a look at them in our gallery.
(5829 College Avenue/christensenheller.com)

Showing Khalil Some Oakland Love

A few days ago, the San Francisco Chronicle’s East Bay Section ran a story talking about budget cuts to the arts that the City of Oakland is considering. One of the people the reporter quoted was Khalil Shaheed, the director of the Oaktown Workshops, which teaches jazz to young people in Oakland.

I’ve known Khalil and his family for a while. And I wish the article had described how the kids that he teaches and mentors revere him. More people need to know about Khalil’s devotion to our young people –these kids are great musicians in part because they have been able to attend Oaktown. I think these students are better and stronger people today because of Khalil’s involvement.

If you haven’t ever heard Khalil play, you should. He is a fantastic musician – his primary instrument is the trumpet. Unfortunately, he has been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. He’s undergoing chemo these days. His friends and colleagues are having a benefit for him on April 27th at Yoshi’s in Oakland, and some great jazz musicians will be playing to honor him. It will be a good event, so do buy tickets. The OakBook wrote about it. You can read the article here.