An Organization for Locally Owned, Independent Businesses in New York's Capital Region
Capital District Local First is a 501c6 nonprofit organization located in New York State’s Capital District. We work to promote the locally owned, independent business community of the area. We believe that the locally owned, independent business community plays a vital role in enhancing the social fairness, community spirit, financial vitality, and environmental health of the region.
One study showed that $68 out of every $100 dollars that is spent at a local business stays in the community versus $43 of every $100 spent at a chain.
Spring Buy Local Bash Sunday May 2nd, 2010 10:00am to 1:30pm at Proctor's



The spring 2010 Buy Local Bash will be held at Proctor's Theater in Schenectady on Sunday, May 2, 2010. The event provides a great opportunity to showcase the region's locally owned independent businesses to the public.
Set-up is at 9:00am and take-down is no later than 2:30pm. The event is open to the public at 10:00am to 1:30pm. The event is coordinated with the farmers' market in Schenectady, which moves outdoors on this date. Last year we had very good foot traffic from the synergy of the two events. Tables will be provided. A drawing for gift baskets will be held at noon.
We are seeking commitments from members by March 20th. To reserve a table, please complete the tabling commitment form and send it by email to David Hess at davidjhess at verizon.net or by regular mail to his address at 1476 Regent St., Niskayuna, NY 12309. To contribute a gift certificate or other item to the gift baskets, please mail the gift certificate or gift to David Hess at 1476 Regent St., Niskayuna, NY 12309, drop off the item at Parcel Post Plus on Nott St. in Old Niskayuna, at David's house or at Market Block Books, c/o Susan Taylor, in Troy. We request a $10 donation to cover advertising and printing costs for the event. Make the check out to Capital District Local First. Tables are open to all CDLF members from all four Capital District counties. A limited number of spaces is available, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additional Event Sponsorships are also available for interested companies.
Please share this information with interested community partners! Download the sponsorship form here
Download the tabling commitment form here
Please note, these files will download directly to your desktop or download folders, so please look for them there, they will download very quickly!
Holiday Campaign Completed
Capital District Local First completed its bi-annual Buy Local Bash at the Atrium in Troy on November 21, 2009 from 5-9 pm. The event featured a vendor fair to give people a jump start on their holiday shopping, live music by acoustic duo Kim and Eddy Lawrence, and a nationally recognized featured speaker.
CDLF also worked with Metroland on a campaign to get local consumers to shift $100 of their holiday spending to local stores. National studies by Stacy Mitchell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance indicate that these campaigns are quite effective.
We are now in a planning stage for the 2010 year, with a board retreat planned in January.
Board Members Needed
We thank Jeremy Snyder, Karisa Centanni, and Karen Schlesinger for serving on the board. All three stepped down in 2009, Jeremy to pursue other activities and Karisa and Karen because they have moved to other areas. The board is a great way to meet other local business people and promote the values of CDLF. There is a short monthly meeting and usually one limited activity that each board member takes on. If you are interested in serving on the board, please contact Susan Taylor, CDLF president, at the Stuyvesant Book House.
CDLF Launches Times Union Blog
Susan Taylor, the Chair of CDLF, has launched a blog on the Times Union's website. Thanks to Susan for keeping us up to date on the latest local-economy news. If you have an idea for Susan to write about, send her an email.
Connect to CDLF with social networking websites
We're on Facebook and LinkedIn. Come join us there too! Click on the links:
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