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That’s right, the Garden in downtown St. Pete gets unchained on June 12th from 7pm-9pm. Come out and support your local business by grabbing a beer, listening to some great music (artist to be announced soon!) and support All Children’s Hospital.

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While “local small business” is typically not the first thing we think about when we head out the door to shop or consume, maybe it should at least cross our minds. We pass by these hard working entrepreneurs daily. They advertise in our local publications (like the one you are reading right now!). They live, work, play, employ, and strive to make a positive impact on our community. And they risk.

Locally owned businesses are bold ventures. They are big investments fueled by a passion to make dreams come true, and they help make our existence a little more special than it otherwise might be. They deserve a special place in our hearts. They are our friends and neighbors. They add that extra unique element to the experience of living in our community. Out of habit, we sometimes forget that these great little businesses are here. The big chain stores dominate major street corners, and advertise constantly via print, radio, and television in a way our local small businesses can’t. So while it is easy to see how we can forget about that little craft store down the street, or the baker around the corner, or the dress shop downtown, or the coffee shop next to the office, etc., we owe it to ourselves to not let that happen. We owe it to ourselves, our community, and our local entrepreneurs to remember!

You could go through an entire day in St. Petersburg by way of local independent business. You could start your day with locally roasted and brewed coffee at one of a number of local coffee shops. You could have lunch at a locally owned deli or restaurant. You could work out in a locally owned gym. You could grab some potting soil, or potted plants at a local nursery. You could enjoy a cold locally brewed craft beer in a locally owned and operated pub. And you could have dinner in any number of locally owned restaurants.

The list could go on and on. The point of this is not to say that all you should do is shop and do business with local small businesses. It isn’t necessary or even practical. By all means, order a pizza from Pizza Hut or Domino’s if you must, but don’t forget Old Northeast Pizza, Valentino’s, Flippers, Joey Brooklyn’s, Tour de Pizza, or the many other locally owned purveyors of fine pizza. Love Starbucks? I do too. But I love Kahwa Coffee as much. Think about the businesses you frequent every day, and ask yourself if there is a locally owned counterpart you haven’t tried yet? A good bagel? I love Einstein Brother’s and Panera Bread, but how about St. Pete Bagel? St. Pete Bagel is locally owned and operated, and has been in business in St. Petersburg since 1987. If I say “hamburger”, most people think McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s. But how about Harvey’s, El Cap, or Chattaway, just to name three?

If you think about it hard enough, there is almost nothing you do as a consumer that you can’t do with a locally owned and operated small business. Of course there are exceptions. There are cases where it is very difficult. But it is possible. And that brings me to the “Unchained Weekend” challenge. Start on a Friday night, and try to spend your entire weekend without going into a major chain store. Let your mind run with that. It won’t be easy, but you can do it. What is easy? How about an unchained date, or an unchained meal, or an unchained gift for a wedding or birthday present.
Thinking “unchained” is not to say that we don’t love, need and appreciate our favorite chain stores, restaurants and businesses. But don’t forget the small business owners who have risked it all to help make the wonderful experience of living in St. Petersburg and The Old Northeast all that it is.
Sample Unchained Weekend:

Friday Evening:
• Drinks and Dinner at The Oyster Bar
• Live Entertainment at The Garden
Saturday:
• Breakfast, shopping, and entertainment at the Saturday Farmer’s Market
• Gardening supplies at Dolan’s Nursery
• Lunch at El Cap
• Groceries at Rollin’ Oats
• Dinner on Beach Drive
• Stroll along the Bay
Sunday:
• Coffee and croissants at Kahwa
• Hot Yoga at Yogablu
• Lunch at the Lucky Dill Deli
• Fine Art Museum and Gift Shop
• Pizza from Old Northeast Pizza

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For more information, check out the Tampa Bay Times Tribute to “Woo”.

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Local band, La Lucha will be at the center of the event entertaining us in the courtyard….So, come “get unchained” with us in support of local business, local art and local cause in this fall event offering up some fun ways to win as usual so don’t miss this chance to check out the Unchained Gang and see what they’re doing in St Pete!

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Come on out on Tuesday, September 4 and be a part of a great event bringing focus to Local Art, Local Cause and Local Business! The event has been named “Wine, Women and Handbags” and your $20 donation at the door goes to their great cause. Come bid on unique handbags filled with goodies. From Chanel to handcrafted specialty bags, you’re sure to find one that suits you!

The Local Art side of this event is big! Not only do we have the artisans that showcase their pottery at the St Pete Clay Company, but we have ALL of St Pete serving as the artists that have assisted in making the clay crosses at the core of the mission of this charity. And on top of the visual arts, we have some music at the core of this event as well. The John Kelly Band has played for several of Elizabeth’s events at the Clay Company and will be sharing their tunes for this one as well!

The Local Cause – Answered Prayers Cross, Inc. – is a full circle ministry created by women for women and their families. The goal of Answered Prayers Cross is threefold: to provide emotional support through shared stories of hope; to deepen faith through spiritual connection; and to provide financial assistance through small one-time grants given with love. Each of these goals is accomplished through the production and the sale of crosses made from clay. Groups of women and children donate their time, talent and resources in the studio to create the Answered Prayer crosses. While sharing their stories faith and hope, crosses are being molded and connections are being forged. In addition to stories told in the making of the crosses, they encourage each person who receives a cross to share their story of hope, faith and love. The journey of each cross begins by registering its individual number on their website – answeredprayerscross.org

The Local Businesses – CA Cafe, JJ’s Market, Girl’s Night to Give, Jim Tizzano Photography and Hideaway Cafe – are all participating and bringing their local support and sharing in this event with some really great food and fun! So be sure to come on down for a great cause.

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Bowled Restaurant + 10th Concession + Kind Mouse Productions = A truly great event!

10th Concession kept us well entertained and we were thankful to have them available to us as they had just returned from Nashville. Keep your eyes and ears on these 2 brothers as they continue making music and growing their audience!

…And a tremendous gesture from featured business of the evening, Bowled Restaurant, who donated a little something extra to our featured cause, Kind Mouse. On top of the money raised for them raffling off some exciting prizes, Michael Cecere topped it off by offering up a Bowl a Week for a Year as part of the auction items. And one lucky winner walked away with that.

Thank you to Kind Mouse for being a force for good in our community. We wish you luck as you run towards your goal of building a house for families in transition. Stay tuned for their upcoming Fashion Show fundraiser featuring the fashions of So Chic at the beautiful Isla Del Sol Country Club. And you can read more about that if you check in with them on their Facebook page.

Especially big thanks go to Jim Tizzano Photography for, again, documenting the evening “through his lens”.

We hope to see you out and about supporting everything local!

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