Vegas LOMA | Las Vegas Locally Owned Merchants Alliance
How To Shop Local• Look for the VegasLOMA storefront window decal and the VegasLOMA website seal. When you see the VegasLOMA logo, you'll know that you're shopping at a locally owned business.
• Browse the directory on this website to find out which Vegas-area businesses are locally owned.
• Stay tuned to VegasLOMA's Facebook posts and Twitter updates for upcoming events and promotions.
Featured VegasLOMA Member
JoJo's Jerky
We are a new local beef jerky company. We make & sell premium quality beef jerky, using 100% natural ingredients, top quality meats, and no preservatives. Our jerky is always fresh! http://www.jojosjerky.com
About VegasLOMA
Mission
Statement The
Las Vegas Locally Owned Merchants Alliance was formed to identify and promote
locally owned independent retail businesses in Las Vegas.
Our goal is to educate and inform residents of and visitors to Las Vegas of the positive economic impact on the community and the value to the individual of shopping at independent retailers first. We also encourage VegasLOMA members to choose other locally owned businesses as vendors, and explore opportunities for cross promotions and marketing partnerships.
Who We Are VegasLOMA was co-founded by Raymond Nisi, owner of Double Helix Wine. Nisi relocated his family from New York to Las Vegas in 2007 to open Double Helix Wine & Whiskey Bar in The Palazzo. He recently opened a second location, Double Helix Wine & Whiskey Lounge in Town Square.
During efforts to develop cross-promotions with other locally-owned businesses, Nisi recognized a lack of unity between locally owned businesses, a lack of awareness by members of the Las Vegas community about which businesses are locally-owned -- and the critical importance of supporting those businesses to develop a local culture with distinct character.
VegasLOMA is currently seeking members representing a wide range of retail and service
categories. While we are concerned about
the negative economic effects of big-box stores and national chains, we have a
more positive story to tell: locally
owned businesses recirculate more money in the local economy than national
chains. So not only are our businesses
competitive, quirky, friendly, unique, and creative, we better support the
local economy.
Advisory Board
Ray Nisi, Owner of Double Helix Wine & Co-Founder of VegasLOMA
Stephanie Pierotti, Co-Founder of VegasLOMA
Misti Yang, Yelp Las Vegas Senior Community Manager
Chad Taylor, Owner of Posterchild / 24hourposter.com
Michelle Dillmann, Las Vegas Native & Owner of Raise Your Glass Greetings
For more information, please email us at shoplocal@vegasloma.com
Las Vegas Business Press
Monday, January 23, 2012
Group encourages locals to buy and sell locally
Las Vegas businessman creates merchants association
BY CAITLIN MCGARRY
Three times as much money stays in the local economy when spent with locally owned independents rather than national chains. Specifically, for every dollar spent locally, about 45 cents stays in the local economy, while the same dollar spent in a national chain only leaves 13-15 cents in the local economy. Up to 80% of money spent in national chains literally leaves town in the night deposit.Even moderate increases in market share generate dramatic local economic impact. For example, with a population of 600,000, a 10% shift of spending from chains to locally owned independents could create $140 million of new local economic activity, enough for 1600 jobs with a $53 million payroll.*
Nine Good Reasons to Shop at Locally-Owned Businesses
1) Significantly more money re-circulates in Las Vegas when purchases are made at locally owned, rather than nationally owned, businesses.
More money is kept in the community because locally owned businesses hire local workers, and purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Purchasing locally helps grow other businesses as well as the Las Vegas tax base.
2) Locally owned businesses help to define a city's culture.
Nurturing our one-of-a-kind businesses is an integral part of our developing a local culture with distinct character.
3) Local business owners invest in their community.
Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future. A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.
4) Customer service is better.
Local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service.
5) Competition and diversity leads to more choices.
A marketplace of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
6) Reduced environmental impact.
Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
7) Public benefits far outweigh public costs.
Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.
8) Non-profits receive greater support.
Non-profit organizations receive an average 350% greater support from local business owners than they do from non-locally owned businesses.
9) You matter more.
You hear a lot about exerting influence with your purchasing choices, or "voting with your wallet." It's a fact that business respond to their customers but your values and desires are much more influential to you local community business than the large big box stores.**
*http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2009/01/25/sundaywebletters_0125.html
**http://greenupgrader.com/8539/10-reasons-to-shop-local/
