Internship Overview: Join the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) of MA, and Cambridge Local First (CLF) for a 13-week spring internship on bolstering resilient local economies. The internship will last from Monday, February 1 through Friday, April 30. We are seeking a cohort of highly motivated, self-directed, spring interns to . . . read more

By Marc Levy, Cambridge Day, December 8, 2020 As city councillors on Monday intensified their pressure to close indoor dining and gyms to reduce the rising tide of Covid-19 cases here, it became clearer why City Manager Louis A. DePasquale has resisted the move for weeks: The city is working with other communities to persuade . . . read more

Wondering how you can help as a consumer? Here are some ideas. By Ellen Rosen, New York Times, November 23, 2020 In the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic, consumers buoyed small businesses with gift card purchases and online fund-raising campaigns. But as the pandemic persisted and restrictions constrained operating hours, many independent businesses continued to . . . read more

By Neal Gorenflo, Shareable, November 18, 2020 One of the big commitments I made when I started #LocalYear was to stop shopping online and shop as local as possible. I’ve largely met that commitment despite COVID-19 making it a mighty inconvenient time to stop shopping online. While I haven’t been able to completely avoid chain . . . read more

Massachusetts is moving back to the first step of phase three of the reopening plan and instituting additional restaurant restrictions. By Mike Carraggi, Patch, December 8, 2020 MASSACHUSETTS — The state is rolling back its reopening plan and instituting some new restrictions as a surge of coronavirus infections threatens to overwhelm the state’s health care . . . read more

Cambridge Local First is seeking an Associate Director, beginning in January 2021. At Cambridge Local First, you can expect to work with a dynamic group of entrepreneurs and advocates to support Cambridge’s local business ecosystem. Help us build a vibrant community alongside your neighbors, and maintain Cambridge’s unique sense of place! Cambridge Local First (CLF) . . . read more

As many tighten their belts and commit to spending fewer dollars this holiday season, we urge individuals to give more as 2020 draws to a close.  Why this message in a time of scarcity and uncertainty?  Because everyone can give more by purchasing more of their holiday gifts and celebration needs from neighbors and friends . . . read more

By Julia Taliesin, Wicked Local, November 18, 2020 In 2021, sisters Amina and Nouzha Ghallay would have celebrated a decade of serving authentic cuisine at their restaurant, Moroccan Hospitality. Though they started off the year strong, they couldn’t recover from the staggering business losses brought on by the pandemic, and in October they closed for . . . read more

By Marc Levy, Friday, November 27, 2020 (Cambridge Day) A Winter Holiday Shopping Guide has been released by Cambridge Local First in partnership with the city. Its 98 pages make it easy to find hundreds of small businesses and nonprofits within easy reach, just in time for Small Business Saturday and the arrival of a holiday . . . read more

By Marc Levy, Friday, November 27, 2020 (Cambridge Day) The Central Square winter market known as Popportunity opens Saturday with participants including Cheapo Records, Mahogany Expression, the Cambridge artist and Graffiti Alley legend Merkaveli, the restaurant Cafe Barada and much more, said Nina Berg, creative director for the Business Improvement District.  Located at Starlight Square at 84 Bishop Allen . . . read more