New Port Richey Merchants Celebrate National Retailer Month

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL -- Rock the Boat Productions and several downtown New Port Richey businesses are joining together with thousands of other independent businesses across the country during the month of July to celebrate National Independent Retailer Month.

Independent Retailer Month is a shop local campaign that runs annually throughout July, encouraging consumers to shop at independent retailers; highlighting their positive social and economic impact – locally, nationally and globally.

People are encouraged to shop independent retail year round and to use July as a time to celebrate the independent retailers that help build the economy; creating more sustainable cities, towns and communities. Independent retailers return more than three times as much money per dollar of sales than chain competitors, according to the American Independent Business Reliance.

“Because of the love and friendship of our community; Wright’s Natural Market has grown for 24 ½ years from a small 800-square-foot vitamin shop into an entire natural foods market,” said Wright’s Natural Market owner Jeff Wright. “Thank you, New Port Richey. When we all choose to shop local, we support the health and wealth of our community, increase job opportunities and help reduce the impact of a recession in our community.”

“Brett and I were both raised in New Port Richey and it’s important to us that our kids grow up here, too. We chose downtown New Port Richey as the perfect location for our new craft beer and wine bar because it has so much potential,” said Natalie Ciper, co-owner of Ordinance One. “We envision the future of downtown to be a relaxed, family-friendly destination where most anything you want to do is within walking distance. Together, with the other independent businesses, we are making that transformation happen and are so proud to be a part of it.”

Mayor Rob Marlowe and the City Council adopted a proclamation at the June 19 council meeting, declaring July to be Independent Retailer Month in downtown New Port Richey.

“We are grateful to have such a proactive mayor and council,” says Rock the Boat Productions’ public relations director Lia Gallegos. “With their support, we believe we have the ability to make downtown New Port Richey an enticing destination for easy living, and at the heart of that movement is our downtown business owners.”

New Port Richey area residents can participate in Independent Retailer Month activities such as:

* July 1 Ride Our New Port Richey Bike Ride and Bike Swap Meet - Sip, 6231 Grand Blvd.

* July 1 Yacht Rock Yoga with Mary - Ordinance One, 5738 Main St.

* July 3 Joe McNeal (acoustic) - Ordinance One

* July 4 Independence Day Sale, 10 percent off everything storewide - Wright’s Natural Market, 6630 U.S. 19*

* July 5 Wayne & Dan (live jazz) - Sip

* July 6 Acoustic music - Sip

* July 7 Acoustic Music - Sip

* July 7 Mountain Holler (earthy, folk, acoustic) - Ordinance One

* July 9 Talk About Town: People First, Traffic Calming & Street Design - People Places, 5742 Main St.

* July 12 Wayne & Dan (live jazz) - Sip

* July 13 Acoustic music - Sip (6231 Grand Boulevard)

* July 14 Acoustic Music - Sip

* July 14 Kelly Rhodes (jazz) - Ordinance One

* July 19 Wayne & Dan (live jazz) - Sip

* July 20 Acoustic music - Sip

* July 21 Acoustic music - Sip

* July 21 Kate Barnette (soul/folk) - Ordinance One

* July 23 Talk About Town: Public Art in Downtown NPR - People Places

* July 24 Locals Night - live, local music at Sip, Ordinance One, Mountaineer Coffee and The Reef

* July 26 Wayne & Dan (live jazz) - Sip

* July 27 Shop & Sip - wine tasting and specials at various restaurants and retailers

* July 27 Acoustic music - Sip

* July 28 Acoustic music - Sip

* July 31 Joe McNeal (acoustic) - Ordinance One

Rock the Boat Productions’ Facebook Page will announce more events as they are announced and contains links to participating businesses.

Image via West Pasco Chamber