Welcome

Worcester Local First encourages retail and business-to-business consumers to "think local first" when buying goods and services. We view the future of Worcester as positive and exciting. As we all know, Worcester has a long tradition of being at the heart of our region, both economically and culturally. The Heart of the Commonwealth boasts several fine colleges, a lively political climate, an ethnically diverse population, many world-class cultural institutions, and several business- and family-friendly neighborhoods.

We have myriad dynamic assets. Near the top of this list, are the thousands of locally owned, independent businesses. In addition to the many long-time businesses that we have come to know and love, Worcester has encouraged and witnessed an upsurge in the birth of new entrepreneurial ventures based here.

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2008-2009 Business Directory
Ad Deadline
Already Passed 
Publication Date
August 1, 2008
30,000 copies to be distributed through
Founding Sponsors, Founding Members & Founding Friends
to retail and business-to-business customers
 
            
 
Events Calendar
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With a founding membership of 200+, Worcester Local First now producing 2008-2009 Business Directory

 

Worcester Local First has a founding membership of 200+ sponsors, members and friends only seven months after officially launching our "think local first" campaign for Worcester. The Founding Sponsors, Founding Members and Founding Friends who joined by June 19 will be listed in our 2008-2009 Business Directory.

We're now producing and will print the Business Directory, 30,000 copies of which will be available for distribution to retail and business-to-business consumers by August 1. Among other things, the Directory will include the following: detailed listings for all 200+ members; nearly 40 member ads; the Top 10 Reasons to Shop Local; a detailed look at the No. 1 Reason: More money stays in Worcester when you shop local; and ways to get involved in the sustainable Local First movement that's sweeping the nation.

The Business Directory is our first major goal because it will enable consumers to know which Worcester businesses are both locally owned and independent. Right now, no such directory or database is publicly available.

The primary reason for "thinking local first" is that for every $100 spent at a locally owned, independent business, $68 stays in the local economy, while only $43 of every $100 spent at a non-locally owned, non-independent business stays in the local economy. (Source: Andersonville [Michigan] Department Corp. and Andersonville Chamber  of Commerce, 2004, Civiceconomics.com/Andersonville/.)

These figures do not factor in the profits made by locally owned, independent businesses. Such profits also stay in the community rather than leak out through non-locally owned, non-independent businesses. 

Here are links to two other websites that contain additional information about the positive, constructive and sustainable impacts of thinking and buying local on local economies and environments:

For more information, contact Worcester Local First Coordinator Steve Jones-D'Agostino at 508-791-0459 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

 

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Dzian Art Gallery Shines During Worcester Local First's May Networking Party

 

Dzian Art Gallery at 65 Water St., a brand new Founding Member, got to show off its remarkable collection of original art works from around the world by hosting Worcester Local First's Networking Party on May 21. Free wine and hors d'oeuvres were served.

Our Networking Parties are much more than a chance to exchange business cards and pleasantries. Instead, they are rare, unique opportunities to meet, talk and even make arrangements to partner or collaborate with peer owners and operators of Worcester's locally owned, independent businesses in ways that increase sales and profits.

If you are a Worcester Local First member and would like to host a Networking Party, contact Coordinator Steve Jones-D'Agostino at 508-791-0459 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 
NEW! Zoomable Google Maps with Locations of Worcester Local First's Growing Membership

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CLICK HERE

FOUNDING SPONSORS & FOUNDING MEMBERS

Own and operate a retail store? See another owner/operator across the room? He or she runs a hospitality  business. Don't think you have much in common? Strike up a conversation and watch how fast the innovative, entrepreneurial and profitable ideas start flowing fast and furious.

Struggling to make ends meet? Seek the generous and free advice and support of successful business owners/operators who are more than willing and able to coach and guide you.

Watching most if not all of any new profits go up the chimney in ever-rising energy costs? Learn from other owners/operators who have converted to renewable, clean, sustainable and affordable forms of energy and, in many cases, received grants and/or low-cost financing to make the switch.

Tired of losing customers or clients to the chains and franchises? Join Worcester Local First and help us encourage retail consumers and businesses to "think local first" when buying goods and services.

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Thank you to our Sponsoring and Founding Members. Your support is valuable to us!

Sponsoring Members ($500)

Bowditch & Dewey
Colleges of Worcester Consortium
Commerce Bank & Trust
Davis Advertising
Fallon Community Health Plan
Fletcher, Tilton & Whipple
Greenberg, Rosenblatt, Kull & Bitsoli
J.J. Bafaro Inc.
Mass. Liquors
Mirick O'Connell
Rotmans Furniture
Saltus Press
Tropical Springs Distributors
Worcester Magazine

Founding Members ($100)

86 Winter American Bistro
A.J. Robbins Wallcovering
Achieva Realty, Danielle Dustman
Acoustic Java
Advantage Benefits Group
Annie's Book Stop
Assumption College
Bahnan's Bakery & Cafe
Barney's Bicycle
Barrows Hardware
Becker College
Beechwood Hotel
Bello Opticians
Ben Franklin Bookstore
Benefits Lab
Bicycle Alley
Biomass Combustion Systems
Block 5 Bistro
Blodgett & Blodgett
Blue Jeans Pizza
Bocado Tapas Wine Bar
Bowditch & Marinelli
Braley & Wellington Insurance Agency
Building Inspector of America
C.C. Lowell
Camosse Masonry Supply
Carnegie Consultants
Charlotte Klein Dance Studios
CinchIT
Clark University
Classic Toy Shop
College Of The Holy Cross
Commonwealth National Bank
Computer Hospital
Corporate Benefits Plan
Damar Printing & Copy Center
Davis Publications
Dean's Florist/Designed By Early's
Deerfield Press/Commonwealth Stationers
Design Center
Desktop Shop
Dirsa-Morin Funeral Home
DLG Results
Dodge Park Rest Home & Day Center
Dog Dayz Grooming Salon
Don Shortman Printing
Dzian Art Gallery
EBS Foran Insurance & Advisory Services
Echobrook Nursery
EcoTarium
Ed Hyder's Mediterranean Marketplace
Energy Freedom Fighters
F.W. Madigan
Finnegan Photographers
Flow Forms Yoga
Flying Rhino Cafe & Watering Hole
Forever Blooming at Tatnuck Garden Center
Framed In Tatnuck
Futon Company
George's Coney Island Hot Dog
Gerardi & Son Service Center
Goddard-Homestead
Good As Gold Coffee
Guertin Graphics & Awards
Haddad Auto Detail
Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts
Harding Tire Center
Henry's Copy Center
Herbert E. Berg Florist
Hermis Yanis Productions
Immedia
Jamn Promotions
Joseph's Lock & Safe
Kashuk, Bougault, Kittredge & Frustaci, CPAs
KJ Barron's Fine Wine & Spirits
Knight Security
Larry O'Connell Real Estate
LB Wheaton
Leo's Vacuum Center
Light Lab Designs
Long Island Hot Dog & Restaurant
Lujon's Men's Clothes
Magay & Barron Eye Center
Manero Insurance Agency
Margot R. Barnet, D.C.
Marie's Direct Mail
McCullough & Associates CPAs
McLaughlin Educational Consulting
Mezcal Tequila Cantina
Miles Press
Mill Street Motors
Neal Rosenblum Goldsmiths
O'Connell Fire Protection
O'Connor Brothers Funeral Home
O'Connor Maloney & Co., CPAs
On Target Communications
On The Rise Baking
Owl Shop Of Worcester
Pagio
Palomar Printing
Pampas Churrascaria Rotisserie
Park Avenue True Value Hardware
Park Print
Patriot Financial Group
Percy's TV & Appliance
Pet Barn/K-9 Kreations
Peter Shtudiner Painting, Wallpapering
Philip M. Stone, Attorney At Law
Piccolo's Italian Restaurant
Pickle Barrel Delicatessan
Plante Opticians
Pleasant Street Neighborhood Network Center
Plywood Plus
Porro's At The Square
Porto Bello Restaurant
Pride Productions
Prime Color Photo
Quality Property Management Service
Quick Stop Printing
Radiant News
Ramstrom's Service Center
Re/Max Advantage 1, Jeffrey Burk
Regional Environmental Council of Central Mass.
Rocco's Gentlemen's Clothing
Roma's Grille & Pizzeria
Roz Real Estate
S + K Valet
Sansoucy Stone
Saori Worcester Gallery & Studio
Savage Property Investments
Solutions Through Mediation
Spillane & Spillane
Spiritual Haze
Sprague Fitton Opticians
Sprout
stART on the Street
Stolberg, Ebbeling & Blanchette
Struck Catering
Sullivan Insurance Group
Sundeck Mortgage
Tatnuck Postal Business Center
Thomas Auto Body
Thomas J. Woods Insurance Agency
Tonelli-Brown Art & Design
Top Shop Salon & Day Spa
Triton Technologies
Tush Denim Boutique
Union Music
Unique Boutik
Vantage Printing
W.J. Hoey Tire
Webster House Restaurant
WICN/90.5 FM
Worcester Art Museum
Worcester City Manager's Office
Worcester Common Ground
Worcester Community Cable Access
Worcester Credit Union
Worcester Roots Project
Worcester State College
WPI
Zia Grill At Scano's
ZU Development

Friends ($50)

Amy Mosher
Barbara Haller, City Councilor
Cathy DiPilato
Chris Thompson
Christine Gaffney
Dan Vinton
Dante Comparetto
Deborah Minier
Deirdre Healy
Don Bourque
Fabiola Treko
George Lawton
Grace Ross
John Goss
Josh Ahearn
Kandi Perry
Karen King
Kate Toomey, City Councilor
Kathy Langway
Konstantina Lukes, Mayor
Larry Feldman
Laury Hammel
Leslie Kelly
Michael Volent
Paul Collyer
Scott Samenfeld
Steve Jones-D'Agostino
Susan Burtchell
William Densmore
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