Dog & Pony Show and more than a dozen other locally owned, independent specialty shops joined the Go Local Card program in 2021. More than 500 businesses overall participate in the effort, now entering its 11th year, which has helped to raise nearly $200,000 for Asheville City Schools.
After 12 years helming the Asheville Grown Business Alliance, founder Franzi Charen is stepping aside. Her role will go to Sherree Lucas, who has served on the alliance’s steering committee for two years.
The first quarter sales of the Go Local card represent a push by residents to support local businesses.
There is no fee for business owners interested in signing up, says Franzi Charen, founder of Asheville Grown Business Alliance, which produces the card each year. The only requirement is that locally owned, independent shops honor the card with hand-selected special offers.
For every Go Local Card purchased, half of the $18 price goes directly to Asheville City Schools. In 2018, this amounted to $26,000.
