Go Local 2015 launches today

Todd Norman, Go Local coordinator at Ira B. Jones Elementary, says Go Local funds will be used to finance the fifth grade class field trip to Washington D.C. Photo by Carrie Eidson

The 2015 Go Local campaign from the Asheville Grown Business Alliance launches today, Dec. 1. Funds from the sale of the Go Local card, a loyalty card that offers discounts at participating locally owned, independent businesses, will support Asheville City Public Schools and the Asheville Grown Business Alliance.

Cards are currently available at ashevillegrown.com and 18 participating businesses throughout Asheville. Details on the discounts offered by partipcating businesses are listed on AGBA’s website and in the Go Local Directory, published by Mountain Xpress, available in our Dec. 3 issue and our kiosks.

Meet Indie: Asheville Grown's new mascot is featured on the 2015 Go Local card. Designed by Sound Mind Creative. Courtesy of Asheville Grown Business Alliance.
Meet Indie: Asheville Grown’s new mascot is featured on the 2015 Go Local card. Designed by Sound Mind Creative. Courtesy of Asheville Grown Business Alliance.

More from Asheville Grown:

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the 2015 Go Local Card with our colorful mascot Indie, designed by Jenny Greer Fares from Sound Mind Creative. The card is currently available to purchase online at our new directory-driven website ashevillegrown.com designed by io illustration & design. Over 380 locally owned, independent businesses are participating in this year’s card.

Cards are valid for 13 months starting now, December 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015. Additionally, 18 businesses around town will sell the card starting Thursday of this week. Each business is paired with a specific school they raise money for. For a map and list of all the businesses that sell the card, CLICK HERE.

The official 2015 Go Local print directory will come out in the December 3rd edition of the Mountain Xpress. It will also be available around town in the paper’s kiosks throughout the year. This directory lists all participating businesses and their offers. Businesses may join at any time and the website will be updated with new participants throughout the year.

This program is a fundraiser for our public schools and highlights and support our locally owned, independent businesses. While other schools sell wrapping paper or candy bars, Asheville city public schools use the Go Local Card network to link the importance of a thriving local economy to strong public schools. Since it’s inception in 2012, card sales alone have raised over $45,000 for our schools. This card connects our entrepreneurs and local businesses to the success of over 4,000 children and their families via this collaboration. Cards are $16 (plus tax). $8 of each card purchase goes directly to a school to help fund classroom supplies, school field trips and special projects. When you purchase online, you may choose the school you wish your $8 to be donated to, or you can select “All Schools” to have it distributed equally. The other $8 goes to our organization to help fund the Go Local Card program and grow the Love Asheville – Go Local movement.

To buy your card today, visit us at http://ashevillegrown.com/go-local-card/.

You can also purchase a card at these locations:

B.B. Barnes Garden Center
3377 Sweeten Creek Road
Blackbird Frame & Art
365 Merrimon Ave.
Fine Arts Theatre
36 Biltmore Ave.
Fired Up! Creative Lounge
26 Wall St.
French Broad Food Co-op
90 Biltmore Ave.
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
10 S. Pack Square
Hip Replacements Clothing

72 N. Lexington Ave.
Homegrown
371 Merrimon Ave.
Go Chair Repair
375 Depot St.
The Hop
640 Merrimon Ave.
The Hop West
721 Haywood Road
Katuah Market
2 Hendersonville Road
Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe
55 Haywood St.
Relax & Rejuvenate
5 Regent Park Blvd. #105
Rosebud Video
197 Charlotte St.

Short Street Cakes
225 Haywood Road
West End Bakery
757 Haywood Road
West Village Market
771 Haywood Road

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.