Strengthen St. Petersburg’s Economy By Buying Locally

One of the essential factors that contribute to the City of St. Petersburg’s unique character is the wealth of independent, locally owned businesses that have opened and come to thrive in recent years. It makes St. Pete vibrant and colorful, fun, entertaining, delicious, inviting and economically successful.

Today’s St. Pete is not the same old same old, it’s a collection of one-of-a-kind originality that strengthens the local economy and the community.

Keep Saint Petersburg Local Promotes Business And Community

Keep Saint Petersburg Local is a grass roots organization formed in 2011 comprised of independent business owners working together to nurture the city’s entrepreneurial spirit, support the interests of its local, privately owned businesses, promote diversity of choices and encourages prosperity throughout the community.

Their Mission: “Keep Saint Petersburg Local is a non-profit organization, affiliated with the American Independent Business Alliance, working to build a thriving local economy and a unique community. We do this by nurturing connections for, and acting as the voice of locally-owned, independent businesses and by raising awareness of the importance of buying local.”

According to Keep Saint Petersburg Local, “every dollar spent with locally-owned businesses generates over three times the local economic impact as compared to spending with national chains.”

To help achieve their goals, Keep Saint Petersburg Local works closely with government officials and the media to help promote the city’s privately owned businesses. They also provide educational forums that create opportunities for members to share ideas, skills and resources. Additionally, they pool their purchasing power and creativity to negotiate lower prices and create co-op advertising promotions.

Educating the public about the value of doing business with locally owned, independent businesses is an integral part of their mission. It helps promote recognition and support for the area’s private enterprises, and promotes Saint Petersburg as a lively and distinctive shopping, dining, entertainment and tourist destination.

8 Reasons Why Keep Saint Petersburg Local Matters:

1. Keeps money re-circulating in Saint Petersburg.
2. Keeps Saint Petersburg remarkable by promoting the city’s unique character.
3. Creates jobs. Small businesses are the largest employers nationally. [Read more…]

Hounchell & Associates Shopping Tip:
Brocante To Offer Unique Vintage Shopping Experience in St. Pete Two Days Each Month

An interesting new twist in shopping for vintage goods is coming to the St. Petersburg-Tampa area Brocante Vintage Market is a 15,000 square foot indoor “street” market featuring multiple vendors, each with their own style and panache. What’s unique is that Brocante (pronounced Broh-cahnt) will only be open two days on the first weekend of each month!

Brocante is French for “secondhand,” but its promoters advise shoppers to forget what they know about run of the mill flea markets and expect instead a unique shopping destination, and a refreshing, fun monthly vintage shopping experience.

Brocante’s Debuts August 3 & 4 Downtown St. Pete

Brocante is located in a former piano warehouse in downtown St. Petersburg’s Warehouse District at 2200 2^nd Ave. S. Doors will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days each month. Those needing an antique shopping fix the other days of the month are advised by organizers to shop their sister store, Paper Street Market, located in downtown St. Petersburg at 915 Central Avenue. Paper Street is open seven days each week.

Vendors actually run the market at Brocante. Each of the dozens of vendors taking part are hand selected for the quality and variety of the vintage items they have for sale, offering a wealth of choices for the public. Vendors also run the cash registers, wrap and bag goods, assist customers searching for something specific and help load larger items at the pick up station. Their goal is to create a smoothly running operation and a cohesive shopping experience.

Vendors interested in becoming part of Brocante need to fill out a Brocanteurs form to be considered.

Happy shopping everyone!

Happy Fourth of July!

Fly Your Flags Pinellas & Hillsborough Counties

Get out the bunting and fly your flags. Clean the grill. Make sure the pool is ready. Cut the grass, dig out your red, white and blue outfits and make plans to enjoy one of the best holidays of the year. July 4 is almost upon us and you want to be ready.

To help make the most of the upcoming July 4 holiday throughout the St. Petersburg – Tampa area and, for some, a well deserved long weekend, here is the lowdown on what’s happening throughout the Bay Area.

Pinellas County Fourth Of July Events:

St. Petersburg’s fireworks are set to go off at 9 p.m. from Spa Beach, 615 Second Ave., N, adjacent to The Pier. The waterfront parks will be perfect viewing areas, as will the approach to The Pier. For additional information, please call (727) 893-7465.

Gulfport will hold their Waterfront Arts celebration, including a fishing derby for kids, a family sand sculpting contest and a wealth of arts and crafts. Activities begin at 2 p.m. in Gulfport’s historic Waterfront Arts District, 3129 Beach Blvd. S. For more info, call (727) 322-5217. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m.

Clearwater plans to Celebrate America with a live concert, games for kids of all ages and a variety of vendors. Activities will begin at 4 p.m. at Coachman Park, 301 Drew St., and fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m.

On Treasure Island, The Fourth’s fun begins at noon and features food and crafts, a variety of kid’s activities and live music. Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. at Sloppy Joe’s, 10650 Gulf Blvd. For more info, please call (727) 367-1600.

In Tarpon Springs, July 4 festivities kick off at 10 a.m. and will feature a hot dog eating contest, watermelon-seed spitting contests, potato sack races, live music and fireworks off Sunset Beach at dusk. Best viewing will be from Fred Howard Beach. For more information, call (727) 942-5628.

Celebrate in Hillsborough County:

Downtown Tampa will be lit from above with Fireworks at Channelside. Best viewing will be over the Garrison Channel from Channelside Bay Plaza, The Florida Aquarium, the American Victory Ship, Yacht Starship, Cotanchobee Park, the Marriott Waterside, the Forum and Harbour Island beginning at 9 p.m. For more information, please call (813) 223-4250.

The Tampa Bay History Center will offer free admission and extra hours on July 4. Authentic Civil War, Seminole War, Spanish-American War and World War II re-enactors will be on hand beginning at 10 a.m. The Center is located at 801 Old Water St. For more information, call (813) 228-0097.

Temple Terrace’s July 4 celebration will begin at 10 a.m. with a traditional parade starting at Gillette and Whiteway roads and ending on Ridgedale near the Little League fields. Fireworks at 9 p.m. from the Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club, entertainment included. Call (813) 935-8552.

Brandon presents its Fourth of July Blast featuring live music, kid’s entertainment and fireworks at Westfield Brandon, 459 Brandon Town Center.

In Plant City, a full evening of entertainment begins at 6 p.m. at the Plant City Stadium, 1810 East Park Rd. Fireworks light off at 9:15 p.m. Call (813) 659-4200 for additional info.

Happy Fourth of July everyone!

 

 

Enjoy A Martini – Fund A Cancer Cure, Saturday, July 20

The Annual Martinis For Moffitt Benefit 

Tampa’s Moffitt Cancer Research Center wants to retire the axiom, “everyone has been touched by cancer.”

Since 2006, Martinis For Moffitt has raised nearly half a million dollars to help them find a cure for prostate cancer so this adage can be put to rest.

Each year, the exceptional staff at the Moffitt Cancer Research Center treat hundreds of prostate cancer sufferers from throughout St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida and from across the United States. While they provide incomparable care for their patients, they’re also working tirelessly to find a cure for a disease that takes the lives of over 27,000 people each year. So, each year, Chris Hounchell & Associates and Bay Area Advisors join forces to raise funds to aid Moffitt’s cancer research. JCIII & Associates will serve again as the 2013 Presenting Sponsor.

Join us for the 8th annual Martinis For Moffitt Benefit. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold!

Martinis For Moffitt is an elegant, annual event rich in Tampa tradition combining opportunities to socialize, network, bid on fabulous auction items, enjoy delicious martinis, mouthwatering hors d’oevres and dancing into the wee hours. Eighty percent of the gross charitable donations from Martinis for Moffitt will benefit the Moffitt Cancer Center directly.

Individual tickets cost $100.00 ($125 after July 1st), and must be purchased online. Wanna know more?

Helping in a Large Way – Honoring a Survivor 

Wanna help more? Check out the individual and business sponsorship opportunities available.

Whether you sponsor a table or attend by yourself, you are helping a tremendous cause –  Martinis For Moffitt, Saturday, July 20. Be there!