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Neighborhood Report

Independents prepare to strut stuff

Merchants will spend a week promoting awareness of the little guy.

By JONNELLE MARTE
Published June 23, 2006

When a Wild Oats store opened in Tampa in April, David Taylor found himself battling the big kahuna of the business world: a chain store.

But for Taylor, owner of Nature's Harvest Market, a family-owned business for the past 21 years, the competition only made him more determined to show people that his store isn't going anywhere.

To help spread the word, Taylor is gearing up for the fifth annual Independents Week, July 1-7.

The week gives merchants an opportunity to promote and increase awareness of independently owned businesses.

"We believe we can't just sit back and not be vocal about who we are and what we mean to the community," Taylor said.

During Independents Week, businesses will raffle prizes and encourage shoppers to visit their stores.

The Tampa Independent Business Alliance is organizing the event. The group of independent business owners formed in 2001 to celebrate their unique features and promote local shopping.

"It's only the small businesses that make one city different from another city. Otherwise you can go all over the country and nothing is new," said Jeanne Lavettre, owner of Serendipity Accents & Gifts on Davis Islands.

The group pushes buyers to "put their money where their house is" by advocating that most of the money spent at locally owned businesses stays local.

"We don't send our money out to a corporate company in another state," said Taylor, adding that much of the money Nature's Harvest makes goes toward paying local vendors, accountants and attorneys.

In preparation for Independents' Week, Nature's Harvest is hosting the first pre-Independents week exposition Saturday.

"This year we're playing a major role because we certainly know what it feels like to be in competition with a big chain competitor," Taylor said.

From noon to 4 p.m., businesses participating in Independents Week will put up displays of their products and promote Independents' Week at Nature's Harvest, 1021 N MacDill Ave.

On Wednesday, TIBA will receive proceeds of beer sales during the monthly Summer Concert Series at Old Hyde Park Village from 6 to 9 p.m.

Tampa's Independents' Week coincides with others across the country. Last year, Albuquerque, St. Louis and Colorado Springs celebrated with similar events.

For more information, visit www.tibatampa.org.

Jonnelle Marte can be reached at jmarte@sptimes.com or 813 226-3404.

[Last modified June 22, 2006, 12:06:36]