Transition Town PDX: Local Business Survival, by Evan, Bryan, & Sophie

April 4, 2020

Wholesome Blends, a Local Portland Coffee Shop

Earlier this year in February, Benedict Cumberbatch of Transition Towns Oxford came up with a great idea. He started a local businesses movement, where you make a commitment to only buy at local businesses. Money has been printed for these businesses, and all participating businesses honor the printed money, though the money cannot be used with non-participating businesses. So far he already has 2,300 followers. At least 67 local businesses have been thriving because of this movement.

Sometimes, it's hard to get a local businesses going when competing against major chain stores, but they can get started and do great if supported by loyal customers interested in hiring local people. Here are a few food oriented local businesses that have gotten on their feet, and their stories that might inspire you to start one yourself, and to start eating; Baker and Spice, Batch, Wholesome Blends, and Woodblock Chocolate.

Benedict Cumberbatch suggests that we have more local and less Fred Meyers or Safeway.

Here's a video from Woodblock Chocolate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvqZVp0p21E

1 comment:

AnonymousJanuary 28, 2014 at 4:33 PM
Hi my name is Xeryah, and I am from Punahou School. I learned from your blog that if people buy groceries locally, it will help local people thrive in their businesses as well. I find it great that this movement of committing to buying local is thriving and it is beneficial to local business men. Also, it is really cool that a special type of money has been printed out just for this movement. It is amazing how great, small ideas can turn out to be. Are there other type of businesses that are involved in the movement besides food oriented businesses?