An annual survey has found that independent businesses had strong sales growth over the holidays and appear to be benefiting from growing public interest in supporting locally owned retail stores, banks, restaurants, and other enterprises.

The survey, which was conducted by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance in partnership with several business associations, gathered data from 1,768 independent businesses across 49 states over an 8-day period in January. Among the key findings:

• Independent retailers, which comprised about half the survey respondents, reported stronger holiday sales than the industry average. While overall holiday sales were up 4.1% in 2011, the independent retailers surveyed said their holiday sales increased 6.7% on average.

• More than three-quarters of the businesses surveyed said that public awareness of the benefits of supporting locally owned businesses had increased in the last year.

• Independent businesses in communities with an active “buy local” campaign operated by a local business organization reported annual revenue growth of 7.2% in 2011, compared to 2.6% for those in areas without such an initiative. (“Buy local” campaigns run by Independent Business Alliances and Local First groups are now underway in about 150 cities.)

• Looking specifically at retail respondents, the survey found that those in areas with an active “buy local” campaign reported holiday sales growth of 8.5% in 2011, compared to 5.2% for those retailers in areas without such an initiative.

Read the whole report and download the data on the ILSR website HERE »

Got the February doldrums? Too much to do, not enough time, sick of it getting dark at 5:00, why not go out and have a drink? I’m sure that’s a good solution.

Join me and your other local business people for the February Local Thirst at the West Side Lounge on Thursday, February 16 from 5:30 to 7:30. We can discuss the state of the economy, business plans, marketing strategies, employee relations, or what you had for lunch, (we’re pretty open on the topics). If all else fails, I’ll regale you with stories of what the West Side Lounge used to be, the Acropolis Restaurant and its neighbor, the much beloved Nick Beef and Beer House (also known as Nick’s eef and ear House or Nick’s Beef and Beer Hose).

Your February host,
Gavin Kleespies
Cambridge Historical Society

Presented by Amy Carlin, of Morgan, Brown & Joy, LLP

CLF is excited to bring back Amy Carlin, of Morgan, Brown & Joy, LLP. as a presenter for the next business improvement seminar sponsored by Cambridge Trust Company.

When: Thursday, March 1, 2012 from 9 am to 11.

Where: CCTV’s new studio space in their community board room in Central Square on 438 Massachusetts Avenue.

Cost: $25 and includes breakfast from Veggie Galaxy!

Why:Harassment in the workplace poses serious risk to your business. Both corporate and personal liability can result from unlawful harassment. Learn how to prevent sexual harassment and other illegal harassment in the workplace, and what all of your managers and employees should know about keeping your business free of unlawful harassment.

Attendees will learn:

• How to implement a harassment prevention policy
• What conduct and behaviors can be construed as workplace harassment
• What the legal consequences are of harassment in the workplace
• How to develop internal procedures for reporting and investigating conduct that is or is perceived as harassment

Purchase Tickets

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased securely through Google Checkout. If you’d like to purchase more than 4 tickets, email cambridgelf@gmail.com.

In addition to our usual festive local discussions, we will be presenting the Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund with all the donations from the 2011 Think Local, Thank Local campaign.

This will take place at Christopher’s Restaurant on 1920 Massachusetts Avenue in Porter Square from 5-7 pm on January 24th.

1636 – In today’s Harvard Square, Newetowne College (now Harvard) was established in Newtowne (now Cambridge)

First Printing Press

1639 – Joseph Glover traveled to England, purchased a printing press, and recruited Stephen Daye to return to Cambridge with him to establish the first English language printing press in the new world.

First Army

1775 – On July 3 George Washington took command of the Continental Army, forming the first American army.

First Cemetery

1831 – When Mount Auburn Cemetery opened it was not only the first scenic landscaped cemetery in America; it was also the first time the word cemetery was used in the English Language.

First Sewing Machine

1848 – Elias Howe developed the sewing machine and was issued a patent Sept. 10 1846. Although others copied his innovation, he won all patent suits in 1856.

First Telephone Call

1876 – On October 9 Alexander Graham Bell in Boston made the first long distance telephone call to Thomas Watson at the Cambridge office of Walworth Mfg. Co.

First Four Part Chocolate Bar

1938 – NECCCO introduced the SkyBar, the first candy bar with four distinct centers.

First Synthesized Penicillin

1955 – John Clark Sheehan, a professor at MIT created artificial penicillin. This has allowed the development of all modern targeted antibiotics.

First Networked Computers

1969 – Through the Defense Department’s ARPA Net project, BBN Technologies developed the first networked computers that allowed one computer to speak to another. This was the first step toward the internet.

First Same Sex Marriage

2004 – At 12:01 AM on May 17, Cambridge City Hall opened its doors and began issuing marriage licenses to couples, becoming the first city in America where a same sex couple was legally married.

Educate yourself, challenge your mind and your knowledge of our fair city and play the Cambridge Riddler. Use our 2012 Local Business Directory as a guide to solve the riddles. Most contain all the information you need to solve them. Match each riddle with the correct business member of Cambridge Local First and submit the answers to CLF. If you solve all the riddles, you will receive a free ice cream at Toscanini’s!

Please send in your answers with your name and phone number to: cambridgelf@gmail.com or use the CLF Contact Form

Harvard Square

Italian deli in Harvard Square,
A wall of chocolate towers there.

Central Square

Pens and paper, ink or jet,
If not this day, than next you’ll get.

Central Square

Almonds, peanuts into butter,
This store is yours, why choose another.

North Cambridge

For 123 years we’ve met your needs for home repair,
A washer, a nut, or a this or a that, we’ve always been there.

Mid-Cambridge

We’ve been around for three generations,
Come see us for all your medicine prescriptions.

Inman Square

Brunch on Sundays with a sax,
A great time to kick back and relax.

Harvard Square

A sea of turtles, heads a’ bobbing,
guarding jewels to prevent a robbing.

Central Square

Burnt the sugar? No need to cry.
A flavor born, give it a try.

Cambridgeport

My brakes are creaky, I’ve lost my bearings,
Their advice is funny and unerring.

Porter Square

Hundreds of remedies and wax of bees,
Giving mind and body ease.

Cambridge Local First's 2012 Local Business Directory

We’re thrilled to present out latest guide to CLF Members, the 2012 Cambridge Local Business Directory.

The Cambridge Local First printed directory is a powerful marketing tool, resource and guide for residents, tourists, and businesses. Last year we distributed 30,000 directories and were on display in every CLF business, as well as places like City Hall, hotels, and graduate student housing.

We have several pages of Cambridge history, dates of festivals and farmer’s markets, as well as a riddles page. You can pick up a copy of the directory at any CLF business.

The Directory is compact enough to fit into a purse or glove compartment, and is the best possible tool for helping Cambridge residents to find your business and buy local!

Download the 2012 Cambridge Local Business Directory now

Participating businesses in the “Think Local Thank Local” campaign pledge a percentage of their revenues during the first week of peak holiday shopping after Thanksgiving. They promote “Think Local Thank Local” in their stores, on storefront signs, and in other media. The campaign aims to mutually energize both the local charity and the affiliated local businesses. Past campaigns have benefited local charities On the Rise and Food For Free.

To support CHAF, please shop where you see a “Think Local Thank Local” sign. The campaign will begin the day after Thanksgiving and runs until Friday, December 2 this year.

2011 Think Local, Thank Local Participants:

Central Square: 1369 Coffeehouse, Harvest Co-op Market, New Leaf Legal, Veggie Galaxy, Toscaninis, Picante Mexican Grille, University Stationery
East Cambridge: Mayflower Poultry Company
North Cambridge: Home Care Contractors
Harvard Square: Irving House at Harvard, Clothware, Harvard Book Store, Patricia Mazza Real Estate, Silver Clay Fabulous Gifts, Veggie Planet
Huron Village: Easy Chairs Antiques, The Fishmonger, Full Moon Restaurant, Half Crown-William Henry Furniture, Marimekko
Inman Square: 1369 Coffeehouse, Boutique Fabulous, Stellabella Toys
Kendall Square: Cambridge Brewing Company, Xylem
Mid-Cambridge: Harding House, A Bed and Breakfast
Observatory Hill: Didriks, Reside Inc.
Porter Square: Cambridge Common, Cambridge Naturals, Christopher’s Restaurant, Henry Bear’s Park, Home Care Contractors, Joie de Vivre, Porter Square Books, Salon Luna, Stellabella Toys, TAGS Hardware, West Side Lounge

Fresh Pond: Longleaf Lumber

For more information on Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund view their Membership Listing where you will find a link to their website and more.

As a member of Local First, we are happy to offer you a 10% discount off of the admission price! 

 Just use the code LOCALFIRST when buying tickets at JimmyTingle.com only.  Offer not valid at Brattle Theatre Box Office or online.

Here is the trailer:

Visit the ticketing page on Jimmy’s website to purchase tickets.