Gulfport clothing swap pictures!

You might have read about it on our Web site -- localshops1.com -- our clothing swap was a huge success. The response was overwhelming. Close to 100 people must have shown up, some to trade clothes, some to give clothes, some to share their stories. We met a couple from Tampa, one from Tierra Verde, several women from St. Pete Beach, and tons of our neighbors here in Gulfport.

The event raised almost $60 -- and enough clothes to pack three cars -- for CASA, shelter and advocacy group for victims of domestic violence. We heard from CASA volunteers, past and present; as well as women who say CASA saved them. We heard from teenagers who were bored of their clothes, but too broke to buy new stuff; we heard from moms who wanted to surprise their kids with new outfits. Friends were picking out clothes for each other, and strangers were becoming friends. It truly was a wonderful day, and we are grateful to live in a place with so many generous people.

Many asked if we would do this again. We hadn't been planning to, but after seeing how happy people were, we decided that yes, of course! Next one probably will be in early February -- time to start clearing out winter clothes and getting outfits for the spring. Of course, we'll keep you posted on localshops1.com.

A huge, huge thanks to Bianca Cypser, owner of Complexions skin care, for co-hosting this event. And thanks to the other shops in the courtyard -- Sunny Bay Trading, Yummy's hot dogs, Java Nirvana coffee shop and the Industrial Arts Center -- for letting us share the space, use their tables, and turn the courtyard into a clothing shop for the afternoon. You are all absolutely the best.

Gulfport-St. Pete Beach trolley

Gulfport is now linked with the Gulf beaches. A new trolley takes residents to and from St. Pete Beach and Gulfport. The service begins tomorrow (Thu., Oct. 16) and is available daily, 7:45 a.m. to 9:50 p.m. Going shopping back and forth just got a lot easier.

Here's where you can get a copy of the schedule:
Gulfport City Hall, 2401 53rd St. S.
Gulfport Senior Center, 5501 27th Ave. S.
Gulfport Library, 5501 28th Ave. S.
Gulfport Recreation Center, 5730 Shore Blvd. S.

The schedule is also available on line at www.ci.gulfport.fl.us.

Pink flamingo signs will make it easier to find the trolley stops:
Gulfport Senior Center
The Gulfport Casino
58th St. and 28th Ave. S.
61st St. S. and Gulfport Boulevard
Pasadena Shopping Center
Palms of Pasadena Hospital
Corey Ave. and Blind Pass
75th Ave. and Gulf Boulevard.


Cash fare and exact change are required. The fares listed are for one way. Regular fare is $1.75, seniors 85 cents; students $1.25*. The new trolley will accept PSTA bus passes. PSTA GO Cards are also accepted.

Is this the time to shop?

The situation out there with the economy is scary, and we're all following the markets and our 401ks. The job market is grim. If you're out looking for a job, the prospects aren't all that promising, the wages and benefits not that great. And if you have a job, you might be seeing coworkers get laid off, and might be worrying about what might happen to you.

So at a time like this, it might seem weird to even think about shopping. We understand, of course. For many of us, this isn't a time for frivolous spending.

But a time like this also means it's even more important for us all to stick together and support each other. We're not asking you to run up credit cards or go on a shopping spree. We just want you to consider, before you shop, where your money is going. Money spent locally is more likely to stay locally.

"Study after study confirms that local stores and restaurants generate more than three times the local economic activity of remote controlled national chains," Tampa Independent Business Alliance writes in its Web site, tibatampa.org.
"The "multiplier effect" of taxes collected from such local expenditures bringing up to five times the revenue, while up to 80% of money spent in national chains leaves town in the night deposit. On a typical November shopping day, if all taxable purchases in Hillsborough County were made at locally owned independent businesses instead of national chains, it would make a $39 million dollar difference to the local economy. Locally owned independents circulate the money right here, for local goods and services from banking and health care to printing and cabinetmaking, while taxes support our schools, parks, law enforcement and more."

Yesterday we were at the Tuesday market in Gulfport, and were happy to see the community helping each other, shopping from each other. Someone told us, "No one is really making any money here. We're just circulating the same money back and forth."

And that, at times like this, might not be such an awful thing.

It's your money, your decision, of course. We're not here to preach. We just want to give you the options, and make it easier for you to find an independent shop, if you'd like to support one.

We welcome your feedback, and hope to see you around town.

-- Ester Venouziou
www.localshops1.com

You Can Win Free Gas!

A friend of mine sent me a link to the Web site for the local radio station WQYK because they are having a gas giveaway at local Race Trac gas stations. Here is a list of where they'll be:

RaceTrac Free Gas Friday Calendar

* Oct. 10 from 7-9am at the RaceTrac at 810 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon
* Oct. 17 from 7-9am at the RaceTrac at 3600 Hardin Blvd., Lakeland
* Oct. 24 from 5-7pm at the RaceTrac at 2854 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater
* Oct. 31: 5:30am-10am live broadcast with the WQYK Morning Show at the RaceTrac at 2227 28th Street North, St. Petersburg. “Gordon the Gas Guy” will be giving away $50 gas cards to the first 30 people that show up at 3pm.


I was driving by the Race Trac on Ridge this morning and needed to get gas, so I pulled in and there they were. As I walked by I figured, why not try. Well, I am glad I did! I won $25 in free gas. And you can also enter a drawing to win free gas for a month and for a year. Now wouldn't that be nice? You can hit the link above to check out their site.

Thanks again WQYK... :)

Your Local Shopper

Jenn
localshops1

Baseball fever

We've already heard from two business owners, telling us they're closing early today to go to the Tampa Bay Rays first-ever playoff game at Tropicana Field.

Can't make it to the game? Check out live game blog, from St. Petersburg Times. Click here.

Go, Rays!!

Need a job? New shopping center looking for workers

Considering the economy I figured it would be a good idea to get this information out there.
I was watching BayNews9 this morning and saw that there is a new "high end" shopping mall opening up in Wesley Chapel.

They are having a job fair today in Wesley Chapel at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites at 8310 Galbraith Rd from 10am - 7pm.

They say to come dressed to impress, and bring your resume. The jobs they are hiring for range anywhere from managers to retail shop help. There was no information on which stores would be going into this center, but let's all hope they are independently owned! You can check out the information on BayNews9.com under local news in Pasco. Good luck to you all.

Your Local Shopper,

Jenn
localshops1

A plea: Help save a coffee shop

Just read a story in the St. Petersburg Times, and can't decide if I should be sad or inspired.
Turns out the owner of one of my favorite coffee shops has decided to call it quits. Michael Duranko, who has owned the cafe for about 18 months, last week told his staff that he just couldn't carry the financial burden, writes Waveney Ann Moore.

We've seen this happen before, unfortunately. Too many times. The little shop on First Avenue South in downtown St. Pete has gone through several owners in the past few years. Each time, new guys move in, add new furniture, new fixtures, make it all even prettier than before. There's a cute courtyard in the back, nice artwork by local artists on the walls, and great coffee and other treats. Lots of organic, lots of vegan, even.

So what happened? Don't we all still drink coffee?

Maybe the location is to blame? It's convenient to the Times, and a lot of us go there quite often, but maybe it's just a few blocks too removed from the real center of downtown?
Maybe it's the economy? More people just drinking coffee at home?
Maybe it's competition: two Starbucks within walking distance.

No matter the reason, we're sad to hear it's not working out ...

But now, the inspirational part:

The coffee shop's three employees -- Kyle DeStefano, 24, Nathalia Estrada, 25, and Ellen Auger, 26 -- aren't giving up on the shop. They plan to take over, keep it going, liven it up, the Times reports. They're planning a game night, jazz night, all sorts of fun things.

The owner hopes to help them with the transition, and is optimistic the three 20-somethings will make it. The landlord isn't so sure, Rent's $3,000 a month, he tells the Times, and three budding entrepreneurs might have a hard time paying that.

Of course, I hope they make it. From what I've seen, the three all work really hard, and seem ambitious and dedicated. And the coffee there is great.

So, here is a plea: If you're downtown, stop by their coffee shop, Local Coffee+Tea, at 330 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. And if you can make it there Saturday, they're having a benefit to raise money for the shop. $10 gets you in, for music, snacks, fun.

I know we all have our own budget issues, and I know we can't save every business out there. But independent businesses keep our communities going, they keep our neighborhoods unique, and they keep our local economy going.
So anything you can do to keep them afloat is definitely most welcome.

We're in the St. Pete Times!

We love, love, LOVE the Deal Divas, of the St. Pete Times, even though they love the chain stores :)

Check out all the nice things they had to say about us here at www.localshops1.com!!

Click here: Deal Divas blog on localshops1.com


My personal favorite part, of course:
Our friend Ester Venouziou, a Times designer and writer, is the master of the universe when it comes to local shopping. ... Want to know where to buy funky jewelry in Manatee, an odd teapot in Pasco or trendy beachwear in Pinellas? She's got you.

We're in the news!

Alex Pickett of Creative Loafing writes about us in his blog. Excerpts:

You’ve heard it from us before: shop local. .... Now, you have another website to help you shop responsibly: Localshops1.com. (Not sure what the “1″ is for.)

Check out the rest, post comments -- and find out what the "1" is for. To go to his blog, click here.

Comments always welcomed!

Lecture: Does Wal-mart have a soul?

On Oct. 14 we'll be at Eckerd College, to hear a lecture by Charles Fishman, investigative journalist and author of The Wal-Mart Effect. Admission is free. Lecture starts at 7:30, at Fox Hall, 4200 54th Avenue South, St. Petersburg.

If you're interested in joining Local Shopper, please visit us at our Web site, and check for contact info.


As for the title of the blog ...

Well, you can probably guess our opinion in the matter. We understand Wal-mart offers low prices, and we understand that in some cases that might be the only option, or the best option.

What we DON'T understand is people who clearly have the means to shop elsewhere still go there. Is saving a few pennies, or even a few dollars, worth it?

We're all for saving money, too. But we think we need to weigh in other factors, and perhaps the answer sometimes might be buying fewer things?

Now, we're not saying to skip on essentials, we're not saying don't go shopping. (we're definitely not saying that ... we LOVE shopping!) ... What we ARE saying is to consider the effects of what you buy, and where your money goes.



Some excerpts, from the book, from http://www.walmarteffectbook.com/
‘The Wal-Mart You Don’t Know’
The giant retailer's low prices often come with a high cost. Wal-Mart's relentless pressure can crush the companies it does business with and force them to send jobs overseas. Are we shopping our way straight to the unemployment line?
[the original story that inspired the book, from chapter 4]


‘The Man Who Said No To Wal-Mart’
Every year, thousands of executives venture to Bentonville, Arkansas, hoping to get their products onto the shelves of the world's biggest retailer. But Jim Wier wanted Wal-Mart to stop selling his Snapper mowers. [from chapter 5]


And about the author, also from the book's web site:

Charles Fishman is an award-winning investigative and magazine journalist, who has spent the last 20 years trying to get inside, understand and explain important organizations, from NASA to Wal-Mart. Fishman was the first reporter ever permitted inside a Tupperware factory, and he was the first reporter in 30 years allowed inside the nation’s only bomb factory.

Fishman grew up and graduated from high school in Miami, Florida and received a BA from Harvard University. He is married to a journalist.

Fishman has visited dozens of Wal-Marts in 25 states, and has spent several months of his life in Bentonville.

“The Wal-Mart Effect,” his first book, made the bestseller lists of the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and BusinessWeek.

More hurricane resources

Bay News 9's Web site has a page with lots of resources and links you might want to check out, too. Evacuation routes, lists for getting ready, etc.

Here's how to get to it: http://www.baynews9.com/Hurricane.html

Here's some interesting info, from their FAQ section:

How are hurricanes ranked?

A tropical cyclone becomes a hurricane when sustained winds reach 74 mph.

According to the Saffir-Simpson scale, a category 1 hurricane has winds of 74-95 mph. It's associated with a storm surge of 3 to 5 feet.

A category 2 hurricane has winds of 96-110 mph. It can have a storm surge of 6 to 8 feet.

A category 3 hurricane has winds of 111-130 mph and a 9-to-12-foot storm surge.

A category 4 hurricane has winds of 131-155 and a 13-to-18-foot storm surge is possible.

A category 5 hurricane has winds of 156 mph and greater. It can have a storm surge of 19 feet or greater. Category 3, 4 and 5 hurricanes are also classified as major hurricanes or intense hurricanes.



What does an average hurricane season mean?

An average hurricane season brings 10.6 tropical storms. Six of those become hurricanes and two become major hurricanes, meaning category 3 or greater. The average is based on data from 1968 to 2003. Officially, the Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, although storms can form outside this time period.



What year was the most active? What year was the least active?

Until recently, 1933 had the most named storms on record with 21. In 2005, that record was broken when the National Hurricane Center identified 28 storms. Since all of the traditional names had been used for 2005, the last six named storms were called "Alpha," "Beta," "Gamma," "Delta," "Epsilon," and "Zeta," the first six letters of the Greek alphabet.
1933 is now second, and 1995 is third with 19 tropical storms. 2005 also had the most hurricanes in one season with 15. The least number of tropical storms happened in 1983 when just four storms formed. In 1982, just two hurricanes formed, making it the year with the least amount of hurricanes since 1968.

There's lots more there, so you might want to check it out.

Hurricane Emergency Information

I'm sure everyone has been watching the weather these past few days with Ike out there in the Atlantic creating havoc. I just wanted to give some quick information about our Emergency Operations Center here in western Pasco. You can go to www.pascoemergencymanagement.com or call them at 727-847-8959 to get information about which zone you are in and to get info on the evacuation routes. It is always a good idea to be prepared, especially since we are smack in the middle of "hurricane season." Good luck to everyone.

Your local shopper,

Jenn
www.localshops1.com

Save our Store sale

Hey, everyone!

We need your help. We were at a really fun store tonight, Sequins and Denim, in downtown St. Petersburg. Calls itself "a fashionista's playhouse," and we couldn't agree with it more. Funky shoes, retro and modern styles, all sorts of cool things.

Anyway, we started talking with the owner and she asked for our help: She needs some quick sales, or she has to be out of there by mid-month.

So she's having a huge sale: Everything is 50 percent off. Please, please, if you're in market for shoes, clothes, jewelry, check out what she has to offer. We'd hate to see another shop leave that cool stretch of St. Pete. She's at 441 Central Ave. Phone: 727-894-0325.

She's also planning a huge party, next Saturday. We'll be adding more info on that in the next couple of days, on www.localshops1.com

Thanks for your help. Let's do all we can to keep another independent store alive in the Tampa Bay area.