I am so excited about the new website: www.shopnewdiscoveries.com.  I apologize for not updating the blog in a while, but I have been totally focused on getting this new site up and running.  I hope you like it as much as I do!

I just received an interesting email about the 3/50 project, which I had never heard of, but as an independent retailer I will be looking into further. Here's some information from their web-site.

Did you know that:

• <span $68 of every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures?
• <span That figure drops to $43 if you spend the same $100 in a national chain?
• <span That figure drops to ZERO (!) if you spend the same $100 on-line?
• <span If half the employed population spent $50 each month in locally owned independent businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue?

That’s why the 3/50 Project was started. The premise is simple: Pick three independently owned local businesses that you would miss if they were closed. Spend $50/month in those businesses. Visit www.the350project.net for more information.

I will definitely make sure I spend more in my local community.  Roscoe Village is a wonderful, thriving community, and our local businesses play a big part in that by contributing generously to community events and charities throughout the year.  Pitch in and help keep our local economy strong.

Nonprofits receive an average of 350% more support from local business owners than they do from non-locally-owned businesses. 

In Roscoe Village alone, the local business support many local charities through "shopping crawls" where a percentage of the evening's take is given back to the charity and by donating goods for silent auctions.  Audobon School, Hawthorn School, Gan Shalom pre-school and others have recently received support from this small, locally-owned business.

Support your community by supporting your locally-owned small businesses.  Together we can make a difference.

I hope you all had a wonderful and joyous holiday season!  Here's to a happy and healthy 2009!

With all of the news about the economy and the large companies that are receiving federally funded bail-outs, it's easy to forget about small local businesses.  Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and small businesses account for the vast majority of job growth.  Locally owned businesses are far less likely to pull up stakes and move operations to another city or country, taking their jobs with them.

But, small local businesses need your help to survive, especially retailers.  So this Christmas, as you put together your list and check it twice, support your small local businesses - shop local.

In a local business, you know the person behind the counter – and they know you.  They have a deep understanding of the products they are selling and they take time to serve their customers.

Chicago is a city of neighborhoods.  Where we shop, where we eat and hang out – all of it makes our neighborhoods home.  Chain businesses change the character of our neighborhoods.  If we wanted to live someplace that looked like everywhere else, we wouldn't be living in Chicago.

I believe that chains have their place in the world, but I also know that if I want to give someone a gift, I want it to be unique, individual, special.  That you won't get at the chain – but you will if you go to the right place.  New Discoveries aims to be that place.  Stop in and discover something new.

A recent study in Chicago showed that locally owned businesses recirculate 70% more money back into the local community than chain stores, per square foot occupied.  A space filled with a local business rather than a chain puts more dollars back into YOUR neighborhood.

Thank you for supporting this locally-owned independent business!