Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(Fort Greene/Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, October 25, 2006) - This coming Monday, November 13th, 6 pm at Chez Lola, 387 Myrtle Avenue, the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership begins its roll-out of a campaign encouraging area residents to shop locally for the holidays by hosting a presentation by Jeff Milchen, founder of the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA). Milchen’s presentation on the economic and civic importance of sustaining a strong base of local, independently-owned businesses will kick-off a week of evening events highlighting new small businesses on Myrtle, as well as new product previews and service offerings available for the holiday shopping season. Monday’s presentation is being held at the recently-opened Chez Lola, a Mediterranean bistro created by local entrepreneurs Charlotta Janssen and Denis Costaz, also the owners of Dekalb Avenue’s Chez Oskar.

The AMIBA presentation will introduce programs from across three realms, including public information campaigns about the benefits of doing business locally; organizing collaborative purchasing, marketing and media campaigns among business members; and creating a visible public presence for independent business owners, whose interests too often are sacrificed in favor of more politically powerful entities. The evening is geared to both business owners and their customers, and the Partnership is encouraging the Fort Greene and Clinton Hill community to attend to learn more about the economic benefits of purchasing locally.

“When you buy locally, you support the independently-owned, one-of-a-kind businesses that are an integral part of New York neighborhoods,” shares Michael Blaise Backer, executive director of the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership. “Studies have shown that for every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $45 on average goes back into the community as opposed to only about $14 when people shop at a corporate-owned chain store.” Myrtle Avenue has seen a large wave of new entrepreneurs and existing Brooklyn-based businesses come to the commercial corridor as a result of the Partnership’s business recruitment and economic development efforts.

n addition to Monday’s kick-off, the week provides many opportunities for local residents to visit new businesses, preview new product offerings, get their holiday shopping done early, or enjoy a night out with dinner and live music. The week’s offerings include: previews of both new art and vintage items on Tuesday night until 9 pm, the grand opening of Shalena’s Jewelry as well as new offerings at Myrtle’s fashion and beauty businesses on Wednesday until 9, Thursday Jazz Night at Savy’s Café with the Eric Frazier Trio, and the new B.Y.O.B. Hookah Lounge at Zaytoons restaurant with belly dancing on Friday evening. A full listing of participating businesses is attached, and available at www.myrtleavenue.org.

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Contact:
Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, Jennifer Stokes, Business Attraction & Retention Program Manager, (718) 230-1689