Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Visit me at the Downtown Farmer's Market!

This coming Saturday, June 20th, I will be set up at a table at the Downtown Charleston Farmer's Market representing Lowcountry Local First and the 10% Shift! I will be set up near the Stage and will be arriving bright and early.

So come on down and pay me a visit! You can pick up some sweet LLF bumper stickers, some groovy 10% Shift stickers, our directory of local businesses and I will also be handing out 10% off Shift Coupons that you can use throughout the entire month of July at participating local businesses! So if you're planning to stop down at the market, come find me and pick up some free stuff!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

BE SHIFTY


Just in case you haven't heard, there's a movement underfoot! LLF is promoting the 10% Shift, a grassroots movement of citizens, businesses, government agencies and nonprofits working to shift 10% or more of their annual budget to locally owned and INDEPENDENT businesses. It's such a simple idea - buy from your neighbors, keep the moolah in the community!


To promote this fantastic concept, not only are we partaking in some serious guerrilla marketing, but we are also holding two events in which you MUST attend. The information is as follows...


Press Conference

WHERE: Marion Square, Downtown Charleston

WHEN: Tuesday, June 30th, 10:00am.

WHAT: Mayor Riley, Mayor Summey and acting Mayor Smith will all be signing the "Declaration of Independents" and taking the 10% Pledge. You can sign the pledge, too! So come represent!


10% Shift Launch Party

WHERE: 10 Storehouse Row - The Navy Yard at Noisette

WHEN: Friday, July 10th, 7:00-10:00pm

ADMISSION: 10 cents


We will have live music with Part-Time Heroes, food from The BBQ Joint, Taco Boy (you know), Monza and Local Street Food as well as beer, Firefly Vodka and Shifty videos.


We also need volunteers, so if you're interested, email me at amy@lowcountrylocalfirst.org


Be there, or be square! But above all, BE SHIFTY!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

I heart granola


I can definitely get down with some granola - it's such a brilliant concept. You can eat it in yogurt, milk, out of a bag, in a bar, in nuggets.... I had some great granola yesterday. Bobby Hendricks was kind enough to hand out a couple samples of his version of granola (gRAWnola) to Jamee and me. Their granola bars are gluten free, soy free, preservative free, peanut free and contain no processed sugar or flower. Many of the ingredients are organic and it tastes absolutely amazing. Apparently they're all over town. (I met Jamee for a meeting at Kudu Coffee on Vanderhorst and there they were, tempting me from the counter). So keep an eye out for these healthy and tasty treats. Almost forgot! Bonus point for the gRAWnola gang for becoming a member of LLF!!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Lovin' the Lowcountry


As I'm sure you all are aware (because you are avidly following my blogging brilliance), it's been a little while since my last post. The main reason for that is because I've been living at Taco Boy. The Downtown location just opened up last Tuesday and business has been good (check out the photo Jamee took). Although I've been enjoying every waking minute, I haven't had a lot of time to sit down to write!


However... this morning I was able to take a little adventure to some great local businesses. I say adventure because I still am not extremely familiar with the area - thank goodness for GPSs!


My first stop was at Hokus Pokus, a costume shop who have generously decided to donate a 17th century costume to us. We will be celebrating "Independent's Day" and need to look the part! If you need a great costume or want to chat it up with some great people (Giles Taylor is the owner), give them a call at 843-556-6607. They're located at 1015 St. Andrew's Blvd.


Next stop: Charleston Bicycle Co. I stopped in to see Mike who has decided to become a member of LLF! We're extremely excited to have them (especially because I have inherited an old Schwin bike and I'm not bike-savvy yet).


Stop numero three: Spirit Moves. Interested in Yoga or Nia? Well here's your spot. Oh yeah - they also believe in and sell chocolate... what could be better?


Stop four: Although I do work for Taco Boy, there's another great little Mexican place called Zia Taqueria. They are an "authentic Mexican taqueria" that uses natural ingredients. They're at 1956 Maybank Highway.


Finally, I made it over to Hall's Chophouse to drop off a decal. I spoke with Billy who has quite the personality! They're located on King Street.


I'll try to keep everyone posted. But just as a friendly reminder, if you need to find any local businesses/services, visit Lowcountry Local First's website to check out our online directory that lists all of our members.