While an East Valley chamber of commerce ramps up its annual summer shop-local campaign offering discounts designed to help area businesses during the slower summer months, Mesa officials are reminding residents that supporting small businesses by shopping locally helps the economy and encourages budding entrepreneurs.
Supporting the local economy ought to be a priority for everyone, Mesa Mayor John Giles said.
“Small business is really the backbone of our community. And so when you shop locally you are supporting local businesses, you are supporting the economy that benefits your neighbors and the families that go to school with your children, and just the aesthetics and the financial health of our neighborhoods,” he said.
“So any time you get a chance to choose between going to a small locally-owned business versus a national or a chain, I encourage people to think of their neighbors, think about the health of the local economy and to support local businesses,” he said.
The 130-square-mile city of Mesa has a wide variety of businesses and services to meet every need.
“Mesa is such a large place now that I challenge people to come up with a type of food or a type of business that they need or want and you can find all of that in Mesa,” Giles said.
Mesa residents have a huge impact on keeping small businesses and the economy thriving, Julie Mercer, owner of Sonsons Pasty Co. LLC, 6060 E. Brown Road in Mesa, said.
“By supporting local business’ it encourages more small business to open and provide a diverse and unique shopping and restaurant experience, which will also entice visitors to our city,” she said.
“As an example my small business is unique in the fact we sell a food products generally found in the United Kingdom. Our small shop in Mesa gets customers from Tucson, Prescott and all cities in between who are interested in trying some British food. Every dollar spent helps Mesa’s economy. Supporting local business means more jobs and improvements to our city,” Mercer said.
Area businesses also promote and help charities. Mercer recently opened a Sonsons Pasty Co. in Gilbert, where customers were asked to bring in supplies for the Gilbert-based charity Confidence Kits, which provides essential hygiene products for people in need.
“We were able gather enough supplies to help about 10 people. We have supported a number of schools and various charities raising funds by donating gift certificates,” she said.
“My feeling is no matter what is going on in your own life, you should always be happy to help others even if you only have encouraging words to give — every little helps. Sonsons will always be happy to help whenever possible to make our world a better place for all,” Mercer said.
Downtown Mesa
The Downtown Mesa Association, which has an office at 100 N. Center St., hosts and promotes programs for its members; and has ambassadors that work six days a week cleaning streets and sidewalks, removing litter, weeds and graffiti. The association sells gift cards that can be redeemed at more than 30 businesses.
“Downtown Mesa is uniquely local. When residents shop local, they help support and foster new and existing small businesses,” Nancy Hormann, Downtown Mesa Association president, said.
“Downtown Mesa is a dynamic community that welcomes families, entrepreneurs and revelers interested in finding timeless treasures, or experiencing nationally-recognized local cuisine. Many of the local artisan shops and boutiques are owned by community members who have been based in the area for generations,” she said.
One place to shop is at the Saturday farmers market in downtown Mesa, she said.
“Mesa residents should visit the Downtown Mesa Farmers Market to enjoy fresh local produce, explore the city, experience public and contemporary art, and engage with the community through our programming and vendor experiences,” Hormann said.
The farmers market had been held at Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., but recently moved to a new spot at Inspire Farms, 206 E. Main St., which is taking over the production and management of the market.
“The Mesa farmers market was moved to Inspire Farms as it embodies the true essence of ‘uniquely local.’ Inspire Farms offers fresh organic eggs, dairy, protein and meats,” Hormann said. “As Inspire Farms is a hub for local and organic goods, it made sense to have the farmers market center in this area.”
Mercer, owner of Sonsons Pasty Co., recalled how she started out by selling pasties at farmers markets and delivering them to area businesses.
“When I began Sonsons, I started by selling our product at farmers markets in Phoenix, Scottsdale and I would also deliver our frozen pasties. I would deliver to Phoenix, Prescott, Globe, Tucson and Surprise. Unfortunately we do not attend the farmers markets anymore as I opened a storefront,” she said.
Apache Junction chamber program
The Apache Junction Area Chamber of Commerce has started its ninth year of its shop local campaign, which runs May 1-Oct. 31 and includes a loyalty discount card to participating businesses, including some in Mesa.
The chamber program has been a boon in the summer months, Dani Kahn, owner of HG (Higher Grounds) Coffee said. The business is inside Superstition Ranch Farmers Market, 7 N. 114th St. at Apache Trail, just west of the city of Apache Junction in unincorporated Maricopa County.
“The local shop program has helped us in previous years tremendously. We receive a large influx of business in the winter, which we are very grateful for. The summer business is uniquely different from the winter season, and we are very thankful for the blessing of local support,” she said. “The shop local program gives us a chance to show appreciation to our community and neighbors who stay with us all year, in 100-plus degree weather.”
Shopping local supports the economy and helps keep businesses in the community thriving, Kahn said.
“Local businesses often provide unique products and services that cannot be found elsewhere. When residents shop local, they also create a sense of community and help to build relationships with business owners and fellow customers. Additionally, local businesses tend to be more environmentally sustainable as they often source materials and products locally, reducing transportation emissions. Overall, shopping local is a great way to support the community and promote a sustainable, thriving economy,” she said.
When the chamber program was launched in May 2015, nonmember businesses were invited to participate for a fee. But as the program has evolved and grown, it has become an essential member benefit and is now open only to chamber members to participate, Mary Ann Przbylski, president and CEO of the Apache Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, said.
Each member business determines the offer or discount it is providing through the program. The shop local card may be purchased for $2 at the Apache Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, 567 W. Apache Trail. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the card goes toward the chamber’s scholarship program.
“The shop local program is a win-win for both consumers and businesses during the slower summer season. It encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support area businesses, while consumers can take advantage of many outstanding offers/discounts,” Przbylski said.
Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on Twitter @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Richard Dyer Managing Editor | East Valley @RHDyer
Meet Richard Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.
Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions.
Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.
Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.
Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.
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