Bmore Local Buy More Local Initiative Launched
At a press conference held November 20, Councilwoman-elect Odette Ramos launched Bmore Local Buy More Local, a new initiative to encourage residents to shop local for the holidays. The announcement from Ramos, which celebrated the importance and value of small businesses for communities, was held in front of the new Gaia mural recently installed at 3011 Greenmount Avenue.
The initiative, which includes promoting businesses through www.bmorelocal.shop and on social media using hashtag #BmoreLocalBuyMoreLocal, also offered vendors the opportunity to participate in four holiday markets at the 32nd Street Farmers market between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“Bmore Local Buy More Local is designed to give residents more options for shopping online or safely in person. It is an effort to make residents in our district aware of the rich diversity of local shops and businesses in the greater District 14 area, especially in this time where businesses are hurting because of the pandemic,” said Ramos. “Bmore Local Buy More Local is a coordinated effort between my office, Waverly Main Street, Hampden Village Merchants, Remington, businesses along Harford Road, and more. I am fortunate to have seven shopping areas in District 14 and I’m so excited that businesses across the district and beyond are working together to help each other.”
Although the initiative began as a holiday-season endeavor to help small businesses, Bmore Local Buy More Local will continue beyond the season. For Ramos and the team behind the project, continued efforts are expected to be undertaken to enhance our local economy.
“Even if they are $5 products and are the best products, without marketing, no one will come,” said Tia Hamilton, owner of Urban Reads Bookstore on Greenmount Avenue in Waverly. “I am excited to be part of this effort and to see it grow.”
“Shopping local looks different this year, but under our masks are the same smiling faces you’re used to,” said Amanda Rothschild, co-owner of Charmington’s cafe on Howard St in Remington. “I’m so proud of how Baltimore merchants have worked together to stay afloat while providing safer shopping experiences and work environments; this holiday season, like the entirety of 2020, is about embracing community over competition.”
Waverly Main Street looks forward to continuing to be part of the initiative, and to working with all of the District 14 businesses collectively.
