Buzz

By Ben Antonius | Daily Republic | November 14, 2008 20:32

FAIRFIELD - Buy, buy and don't go too far to do it.

That is essentially the message the city and local businesses will push this month when it launches its 'Buy Local' campaign, just in time for the holiday shopping season. The fliers will start appearing in residents' water bills the week of Thanksgiving, city management analyst Cynthia Garcia said.

'It will be an educational piece really, talking to Fairfield residents about why it's important to shop locally,' Garcia said. 'When they go shop this holiday season, not only are they helping local businesses, but they're also helping themselves.'

For the city, it's a no-brainer.

One percent of all sales tax goes to the city in which it was paid. The more Fairfield residents shop in the city, more money flows to the city and to city programs. In 2007, shoppers making thousands of purchases generated $19.9 million in sales tax for Fairfield.

Since announcing the idea in July, the marketing firm behind the project met with business leaders and owners to craft the details. Among other things, they settled on a shopping cartoon bee as the logo, to represent the slogan 'Be local, buy local, benefit Fairfield.'

Westfield Solano mall General Manager Todd Falduti said he backs the program in part because it promises to encourage local shoppers during the most important time of year for the mall.

'We always want to do everything we can to encourage local shopping, not only for the sales tax return but for the benefit of the community,' he said.

Therese Doyle, owner and project manager of the local Ethan Allen store, is enthusiastic about the program, she said. She offered to wear an oversized bee suit for the promotional material. Doyle said she hopes to keep her store in customers' minds during the Christmas season, which is typically quiet for home furnishings.

'My thoughts were to keep it very simple so that people really understand where our taxes go here in town,' Doyle said. 'I don't think very many people are aware of how much it helps with the police officers and the fire department and the streets and the sidewalks.'

Reach Ben Antonius at 427-6977.

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