Statewide "Buy Local" Campaign Kicks Off in Pawtuxet Village on Monday

This year, the Rhode Island Foundation is getting some holiday shopping done in six Rhode Island communities, starting in Pawtuxet Village in Cranston. And there’s one thing at the top of the to-do list: keep it local.

The organization is asking Rhode Islanders to join them in an effort to shop at locally-owned businesses this year.

The Foundation will gather local business leaders on Monday, Nov. 24 in Pawtuxet village to unveil the campaign followed by stops in five other communities, according to a release.

The ”Buy Local RI” campaign offers “offers businesses and consumers a central website where merchants can market their products and shoppers can find locally sold products, see a calendar of shopping events and even sign up for emails about discounts and special offers,” the release stated.

If Rhode Islanders shifted just 10 percent of the money they spent at chain stores to locally-owned businesses, could add $373 million to the state’s economy, according to a study commissioned by the Foundation.

The study estimates that 57 percent of spending with locally owned retailers stays in the state’s economy compared to just 13.6 percent of spending at major national chains.

The kickoff event is at 1 p.m. at Fellini Pizzeria at 2191 Broad St. in Cranston. Speakers will include Kristy Knoeble, Fellini Pizzeria; Shelley Maezes, owner, Cork & Brew and Spirits Too; Marta Martinez, Friends of Pawtuxet Village merchants association; and Steve Boyle, president, Cranston Chamber of Commerce.