Hello, Go Local Loyalists,

Is it fall yet? Oh. My. Goodness. The heat and humidity are back with a vengeance. While I love my summer garden, including a small little herb garden that is very happy, it takes a while to get used to these temperatures and high-percent humidities. But you didn’t open this email to read me whining, so set back with a cool glass of iced tea or lemonade, or a refreshing pint, and read on!

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Things We’re Excited About 

Here are four things we’re excited to highlight in our newsletter this month. (It could have been a much longer list but a newsletter can only be so long.)

1). UNCA Leadership Asheville’s Summer Buzz Series kicks-off on June 29th.

I’m on the committee that chose this summer’s topic, “Growing & Retaining a Diverse Workforce,” as I know many in our local independent business community are struggling with staffing and retaining their employees. Over this upcoming 3-event series, expert panels will discuss the current situation of employment, growing and retaining a workforce from within our community and in-migration through recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce.
All Events take place at the Crowne Plaza Asheville. Individual tickets are $25 per event or $70 for all 3.  Table sponsorships are also available. Click here to learn more and to buy your tickets today! I’d love to see you there!

2). Go Local Sponsored Classes – What do you think?

Back in February during Go Local Month, we sponsored 8 on-line classes for our business members and cardholders. Our goal was to connect local independent businesses with our cardholder community and other businesses. Topics included everything from houseplants to cooking to building both your websites and your social media presence. The speakers all received rave reviews. Since then, we’ve sponsored a class on paying living wages as a strategy to retain employees and, as a recently as yesterday, we sponsored a marketing class on messaging. In fact, this last class was in-person at Focal Point Coworking, another Go Local business. Thank-you Holly Fisher of Fisher Creative Marketing for teaching an amazing class!

We’d like to continue these classes with your input of what topics of interest, either to attend as a participant or to teach. Here is a link to a quick 4-question Google Form to collect your input.

3). Go Local members won James Beard Awards!

James Beard Awards honor restaurants behind America’s food culture and and who champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability. We are super-excited about two Go Local business members–Chai Pani and Curate that recently won James Beard Awards. Congratulations Chai Pani who received the award for Best Restaurant and Curate who received the award for Best Hospitality. There has been a lot of local press this week about this recognition and instead of repeating what others have already said, here is a link to the Citizen Times write-up.

4). The Go Local survey results are in! 

I can’t wait to share what our business members and our cardholders had to say about Go Local. Unfortunately, it’ll have to wait until next month as we’re still reviewing the data. I can tell you we had 123 business members and 176 cardholders respond, which was awesome! So be on the lookout for our next newsletter to see what we learned and how it will impact our initiatives.

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Welcome to our Newest Go Local Members!

We’re so thankful to all of our beloved business members and want to officially welcome our newest Go Local Members to the Movement. You can find them now on our on-line directory or smartphone app. Over 575 businesses and counting!

Handmade on Haywood –  10% off any purchase $50 or more

Niko Roo Dog Bakery  – Receive 25% off your 1st order with promo code NIKOROO2022 (Personal Note: I ordered some treats from Niko Roo last month for my 2 labs…they loved them!)

Chai For | Go Local Asheville – 10% off A Quart or 15% off a Regular Drink

Zella’s Deli | Go Local Asheville – Free Chips or Soda with Sandwich Purchase

Roots To Ends Salon | Go Local Asheville – 10% off any service with Michele Connolly

A Look at Asheville | Go Local Asheville – 10% off A Look at Asheville online purchase w code GOLOCAL10 

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Shout Out to Self-Help Credit Union

Go Local loves Self-Help Credit Union, for many good reasons. One, their mission is to create and protect ownership and economic opportunity for all, especially BIPOC, women, rural residents and low-wealth families and communities. They do this by providing responsible financial services, lending to small businesses and nonprofits, developing real estate and promoting fair financial practices. Self-Help Credit Union has been a Go Local business member for years and we’re so grateful they’re in our community.

Love Asheville? Want to make a difference where you bank? Self-Help Credit Union offers a Go Local Certificate of Deposit that lets you put your money where your heart is. Self-Help is a member-owned community development credit union, and the only one in our region. By investing with Self-Help, you show your support for their work in Western North Carolina, including financing for green businesses, women and people of color home buyers, and community economic development projects. At the same time, you earn a higher rate than a standard savings account.

And you’ll get a free Go Local card for opening the account.

To learn more, go to https://www.self-help.org/ 

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