NPower Designs 'Shop Brooklyn' Website

On Wednesday, November 19, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, along with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation, Brooklyn Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), merchant associations and local development corporations and business owners greeted shoppers at Fulton Mall, officially launching the borough-wide "Shop Brooklyn" initiative.

"Shop Brooklyn" is an awareness campaign highlighting the uniqueness of Brooklyn's neighborhoods and thriving shopping corridors, re-introducing Brooklyn to Brooklynites, and inviting tourists and visitors to experience this cultural and shopping destination-not just during the holidays, but year-round.

Participating retailers, restaurants, bars, and other service providers will display a "Shop Brooklyn" logo in shop windows and offer special "Brooklyn Bonuses" on November 28 ("Black Friday"-now renamed "Brooklyn Friday") and each weekend from November 22 through December 21.

"Take a family stroll down Brooklyn's lively thoroughfares," said BP Markowitz, "and you'll find every gift and supply on your holiday list-at a great price! From the corner grocery where you buy milk to the florist who knows just which bloom says it best, to the boutique that always has the right outfit for that last-minute invitation to the hardware store where they sell Christmas-tree stands. Shop, eat, drink, and enjoy the holiday season in the creative capital of the world-Brooklyn U.S.A. And to my fellow Brooklynites, remember that shopping local keeps Brooklyn thriving-you could say, a Brooklyn patron is a Brooklyn ‘patriot'!"

"In today's difficult economy, it is more important than ever for New Yorkers to shop at locally owned stores and support their fellow residents," said City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. "I applaud Borough President Markowitz, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and the Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation for launching this campaign that will help Brooklyn small businesses thrive during the holiday shopping season, and remind Brooklyn residents and all New Yorkers that it is the City's locally owned small businesses that drive our economy and create the rich business diversity that makes this City great."

"As the City's official marketing and tourism organization, it is our mandate to highlight and support the experiences people can enjoy throughout all five boroughs year round," said George Fertitta, NYC & Company CEO. "‘Shop Brooklyn' helps generate awareness of the dense and diverse shopping districts throughout the eclectic neighborhoods of Brooklyn. Through media assets such as radio and print advertising, we are happy to support this strategic promotional initiative and we're confident that efforts like this will prove critical in maintaining a profitable holiday season for New York City."

"The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is proud to be part of ‘Shop Brooklyn,'" said Chamber President Carl Hum. "In these challenging economic times, it's more important than ever to make sure we support each other and that means shopping locally. The economic benefits are great as dollars spent locally are more likely to remain in the community. That means a wise investment in ourselves."

"While ‘Shop Brooklyn' is initially intended to give a boost to the borough's hard-working retailers during what we all expect will be a difficult holiday season economically, we see a longer term effect," said Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation President Joan Bartolomeo. "The dollars those shoppers spend not only support local entrepreneurs, but bring economic vitality to the community overall."

Downtown Brooklyn Partnership President Joe Chan said, "Downtown Brooklyn has over 400 stores ranging from boutiques and local favorites, national retailers and world-class restaurants. This campaign will draw even more shoppers to Downtown, as well as to shopping and dining destinations throughout the borough."

"Our local merchants are the cornerstone of the economic foundation of our borough," said Mike Weiss, executive director of MetroTech BID. "We are asking the Brooklyn family to ‘shop local' for their holiday needs."

Jack Katz, executive director of the Flatbush Avenue BID, which supports initiatives like the local Boys and Girls Club arts program and NYPD precinct Christmas toy giveaway, may have said it best, "Shop the merchants that support your community-do it because we support you!"

"Shop Brooklyn" features a website, www.ishopbrooklyn.com, aggregating information from all participating BIDs, merchant organizations, and local development corporations. The site was designed by the creative team at Brooklyn- and Manhattan-based NPower NY, an information technology nonprofit that provides other nonprofits with high-quality and affordable technology assistance.

According to Peter Gordon, National Director of Development for NPower NY, "We are proud to partner with Borough President Markowitz and the exciting ‘Shop Brooklyn' campaign-designing and launching a user-friendly website that will make it easier for everyone to ‘Shop Brooklyn.'"

Why "Shop Brooklyn"?

Tourists "Shop Brooklyn" for the:

• Unique gifts: Brooklyn is "Proud Home to Everyone from Everywhere"-when you "Shop Brooklyn" you take a global shopping tour! From cutting-edge and classic art and design to traditional crafts and artisanal products-Brooklyn's boutiques and galleries have gifts to suit every taste.
  
• Food: Dining in Brooklyn during your shopping trip means sampling every cuisine on the planet!
  
• Culture: You can schedule time to experience the offerings of Brooklyn's world-famous creative community and cultural institutions.
  

Brooklynites "Shop Brooklyn" for the:

• Friendship: Local businesses owners are your neighbors.
  
• Personal service: Local service is better service.
  
• Local economic growth: Keeping dollars in Brooklyn nurtures our local economy.
  
• Safety: Vibrant shopping districts keep our streets well-lighted and safe.
  
• Community benefits: Local businesses support the good work of local nonprofits
  
• Environmental rewards: Shopping local is "green"!
  
• Good exercise: And of course, walking down your local commercial corridor keeps you fit!
  

Photo by Kathryn Kirk: Borough President Markowitz at Podium, NPower Senior Manager of Development - Stephanie Hyacinth in pink coat on far left.