There’s a new city-wide “buy local” push for Ballard thanks to a grant from the Seattle Office of Economic Development. Earlier this year the Ballard Chamber of Commerce was selected as one of five neighborhood business groups to be featured in the “Only in Seattle” promotion. West Seattle, Columbia City, Rainier Valley and Georgetown were also selected.
Only In Seattle from Only In Seattle on Vimeo.
Beth Williamson Miller, Executive Director of the Chamber says the campaign includes “seven pages of advertising in the December 2010 issue of Seattle Magazine transit advertising and a website, celebrates the “gems” of our city and invites the public to come discover what each of these special neighborhoods offers.”
Four Ballard businesses were selected to represent the neighborhood on the Ballard-specific site: Bastille Cafe & Bar, Blackbird, Bop Street Records and The Quilting Loft. The businesses were selected because of their location, they’re locally owned, draw from outside the neighborhood and have unique offerings.
Long-term, Miller says, the Office of Economic Development is hoping to expand the program within the original districts and to new neighborhoods. “I will be applying for additional grant funds in the near future to hopefully add more special Ballard businesses to the program,” she says. “And of course, with the upcoming holidays, remember to support our local business owners and to make your gift selections from the unique offerings here in Ballard.” (Disclosure: MyBallard is a member of the Ballard Chamber of Commerce.)