Somerville Local First Launches 'Local is for Lovers' Market

Somerville Local First, on organization that promotes local businesses, is hosting its first ever holiday market this year.

Called "Local is for Lovers," the market will let people shop locally all in one place.

The market takes place Dec. 2 at The Center for Arts at the Armory, and it will include items from local merchants and artists, along with kid-friendly music and activities.

Kat Rutkin, executive director of Somerville Local First, said one fun part of the market will be a table filled with Somerville restaurants selling gift certificates.

This will allow people who want to buy gift certificates for their food-loving friends  the ability to purchase them all at once. Rutkin said the list of restaurants participating is not yet final.

At the same time, Somerville Local First is running its fourth annual Shift Your Shopping campaign, which encourages people to do their holiday shopping at local businesses. The Shift Your Shopping movement started in Somerville, and now it's spread across the nation, Rutkin said.

"When you shop locally, it's a gift to yourself," she said.