Now more than ever, Cedar Rapids’ small businesses need the community’s help. This is where the brand-new grassroots campaign, Loyal to Local, comes in.
A collaboration between the founders of the deetz app, which is an app for people in a community to anonymously talk about what’s happening in town right now, and local entrepreneur Steve Shriver (Eco Lips, SOKO Oufitters, Brewhemia and The Olympic South Side Theater), Loyal to Local launched Nov. 16 to increase support of small businesses in Cedar Rapids.
“Small businesses are running out of fuel. It’s always been a challenge to run a local business, but the coronavirus and the derecho have made the stakes even higher. Add a long, cold winter to the mix, and we are looking at unchartered and unpredictable territory. It’s so easy right now to order something online from a national retailer or a chain restaurant. But if we don’t make some tough choices about how we each spend our money locally, we are poised to lose some institutional Cedar Rapids businesses,” says Shriver, in a press release.
For Iowa residents, Loyal to Local and deetz offer a unique way to discover and support local businesses. The app’s interactive map is populated by the deetz team and users with daily specials, swag and events. Users can also check where the nearest locally owned business is to their specific location, like a clothing boutique or coffee shop.
SPS Printing and Atomic Imprint are the promotional sponsors for Loyal to Local, supplying participating businesses with promotional items like window clings, T-shirts and hats. Look for them in Brewhemia, Fong’s Pizza, Lion Bridge Brewing, Frolics and Map Room, among others.
Plus, the campaign is also giving out $10,000 worth of free merchandise and promotions from area businesses. Watch for Loyal to Local online under the hashtags #LocalisLit and #NotTodayAmazon.
“Loyal to Local is our push to challenge people to support the amazing businesses right here in Cedar Rapids,” says Shriver, in a press release. “We make dozens of spontaneous decisions every day, and I’m challenging fellow Cedar Rapidians to ‘be more loyal to local.’ The Loyal to Local campaign powered by deetz is an engaging way to decide who earns your dollars.”