What’s Your Be Local 20/20 Story?
Tell us how you spent your $20 this week
and check out what others are doing…
What’s Your Be Local 20/20 Story?
Tell us how you spent your $20 this week
and check out what others are doing…
Bought great locally made cards at Relay Mail.
Coffee meeting with Robert Anderson from the Small Business Advocacy Center at Cafe Adour. Business lunch at The Red table cafe and then back to Cafe Adour for another business meeting with PFC Financial Services
Great time at Happy Lucky’s Tea House in Old Town - great tea to stay and to go. Also great gluten-free baked goods and wonderful fair-trade products.
A special night out at Cafe Vino - wonderful evening watching the snow fall outside.
$20 has been easy for us. We shop locally all the time! I love chocolate chip cookies at Tasty Harmony after a long Saturday morning run, the groomers at The Animal House take good care of my “kids”, and Grant Family Farms’ CSA program is THE BEST! Looking forward to the Winter market this weekend, too! Thanks Be Local for such a economic stimulating community project!
Saturday morning at downtown market lets me meet my favorite venders and then walk over to the Coop for whatever else I need.
Matt and I had another great meal at Tasty Harmony
Last week I got Valentine treats for husband and step-daughters at Ten Thousand Villages… and this Sat is Winter Market so $20 will be a snap!
Vincent Heavenly Pies and Pastas - excellent food, great value for money, fun atmosphere, friendly service and daily specials and promotions…Drake and Shields
You know those delicious, humongous carrots that Cresset Farm brings to the Indoor Markets? The Food Co-Op is carrying them now, in case you need some before the next market. Also their beets and black radishes.
Went to RusticOven in Old Town and followed it up with the documentary showing on Paddle to Seattle hosted for the Save the Poudre fundraiser held at BigHorn Brewing Co. (Thurs. 1/28/10)
My boyfriend and I ate dinner at Cozzola’s Pizza. It was extremely tasty!
At the Winter Farmer’s Market buying all sorts of great foods and gifts. Haircut at Europa. Does Morning Fresh Dairy count? We get our milk delivered and easily spend over $20/week.
Downtown Ace Hardware is such a dependable and friendly place to find what you need.
Groceries at the Co-op, oil change at Hawker’s, lunch at the Red Table Cafe… and looking forward to shopping at the winter Farmer’s Market this weekend!
Bought my new dishwasher from Poudre Valley Appliance.
I have a monthly membership at Miramont! (includes the South location)Yoga pants from Prima; Christmas gifts from Jax; Spices from the Co-Op; Easy to spend $20/week!
My first day goes to….FC Food Co-op $10!!!
This is a beautiful movement, thanks to all participating! We can do it!
An assortment of cookies and Potica to take to work. From where? The Little Italian Kitchen!
In July and August I bought two cases of peaches to freeze, tried a new variety of cantaloupe, and bought fresh produce at the Harmony Farmers Market. In December I bought alpaca socks at the Opera Galleria Farmers Market.
I’m at the Winter Market in Downtown Fort Collins happily spending my $20!! or even more, everything looks great!
Went to a writing class with a local author.
It is so easy, I hardly keep track anymore, since it is mostlly all local. Bought a car from Markley’s, paid my trainer, Hilary Beck-Gifford at The Other Club, saw my dentist, Dr. Mangle, and ate at Wild Boar.
Haircut from Julie, Thanksgiving fixings at the Co-op, lunch at Rustic Oven-yum. That’s well over $20 and enjoyed it all!
The Lyric Cinema Cafe proved to be a fabulous investment this past week since teh film would never have made it to the big multi-screen Hollywood-type venues.
While at the Winter Market I purchased Christmas gifts for friends from Queen of the Meadow.
Later that day dinner with a friend at Coopersmith’s.
Saturday breakfast at Rocky Mountain Bagel Works in Campus West, squash and coupon book at the Winter Market, lunch at The Crown Pub. And I didn’t even get to The Cupboard, yet!
Bought all local products at the Winter markets for Christmas gift baskets.
Got a bike tune-up at Brave New Wheel
I forgot a haircut at Dean’s Barbershop.
Cheese from Windsor Dairy and blueberry spread from Rocky Mtn Orchards while at the Winter Market followed by cookies at Mary’s Mtn Cookies. Yum!
Tasty burger at Coopersmiths.
Winemaking and cheesemaking supplies at Hops & Berries. I’m going to spend the weekend culturing and fermenting. Wish me luck!
Had a wonderful dinner at CooperSmiths.
$21: Getting a haircut and buying shampoo supports our local independents.
Had dinner at Paninos - our favorite local spot which never disappoints.
Bought soap-making supplies in bulk at the food co-op - sweet!
Bought new windows for the home from Amerimax Windows in Loveland - yep, made right in Loveland. They qualify for a tax break too.
Having a bazaar at our church this weekend-everything pretty much local handicrafts except for resale items….paid Gallegos Sanitation Bill…bought another gift card from Ten Thousand Villages for a birthday..ordered cartriges for printes at work from Green Cartridge Colorado….pretty cool how easy it is really easy to buy/spend local
Purchased a wonderful cookbook at the Cupboard!
$35 at Poudre Feed, canning jars from Downtown Ace, 2 new fry pans from The Cupboard for $100.
We got some beautiful yarn at My Sister Knits, then we went to Cafe Ardour for tea. We used the coupons…
Moot House for date night!
I just bought a book from a local author for $20 (50 Interviews)!
And I forgot, we bought the new Be Local coupon book!
We’ve had visitors, so in the last 2 weeks, we’ve been to the Back Porch, Austin’s Walrus, My Sister Knits (Easy $100 right there!, final downtown Farmer’s Market for a while, and a neighborhood lemonade stand.
A friend and I had lunch at Lucile’s followed by a stop at Mary’s Mountain Cookies.
Oh yea I almost forgot to mention that I went to Sutton Naturopathic for my wellness appointment and also Inner Balance Chiropractic. They are both Incredible healers.
Just bought a new water filter at Poudre Valley appliance. Had lunch with a friend at Suheiro and used my coupon at Austins for dinner with my wife last week.
Bought a $50 gift card from Ten Thousand Villages as a present for bride and groom whose wedding I attended on Saturday.
Went to Become Fit for a workshop, but had forgotten to sign up. One of there staff graciously offered to do the workshop just for me. I liked learning sports yoga!
Just realized that my monthly bills to Fort Collins Utilities and Gallegos Sanitation both support independently-owned enterprises. Good to know that more money stays local while getting these basic services.
Oil change from the just-opened JK’s Auto Care. Fast, friendly, and only $20!
Wonderful cheese from Windsor Dairy, Books from Anthology in Loveland, and lunch with my little girl at our favorite restaurant-Mt. Everest Cafe (heaven in curry form.)
It’s so easy!
My husband and I meet for lunch at least twice a week. We usually go to La Luz downtown, but frequent other local restaurants as well.
From The Cupboard: Coffee beans (Jackie’s Java locally roasted), Irish porridge oatmeal, and McVitie’s cookies for my back office afternoon cookie fix at Prima.
Treated myself to Two Pairs facial and used a coupon from the Be Local book.
$20 was easy to spend with our weekly share with Grant Farms. And, with the Harvestival this weekend, we did our best to support the local vendors - art, food, entertainment, BRRRR.
I gifted a Be Local coupon book this week and already the receiving couple has been to Austins for dinner and on to the Lincoln Center to complete the evening.
The Cycologist on Linden fixed our bike for $25. Then I got a gift certificate at the Old Firehouse bookstore for $30. I also spend $20 at the Old Town Farmers Market.
Shop Local!
It’s flu season and I needed an alternative, natural alternative to anything prescribed. So I made a call to our Food Co-Op and, true to form, they had that Elderberry syrup I needed. Supporting our local independent health-conscious grocer is a life saver!
Bought bamboo flower pots at Bath Nursery to bring the geraniums inside for the winter.
Looking forward to an evening out with girlfriends on Saturday. Drinks and appetizers at the Chop House followed by modern dance (Impact Dance and High Performance Dance Theater) at the Lincoln Center.
Had tea with a friend at Happy Lucky’s Teahouse on Walnut Street. We had a super Lemon Bar to go with it that the Happy Lucky Folks get from a local baker. Super to have a teahouse! Super that it’s homegrown!
Furnace filters at Downtown Ace, about $20. And apples from Ela and Tara Parr, pressed for cider, about $55 worth, to make about 3 gallons of cider.
The Little Italian Kitchen and Go West are the recipients of my 20 week pledge … all in one week.
Had to get some repairs on my car, so I chose a local and green auto maintenance company, Houska! Big local and environmental impact
Spent $20 in Cafe Ardour alone yesterday with my daughter! Warm cozy yummy coffee and delectable delights for our appetites!
Picked up art supplies at Lloyd’s on North College for my beginning watercolor class with local artist Sibyl Stork. Both store staff and instructor are easy-going and helpful!
Again the farmer’s market took my $20 and then some. What a delight. Great conversations. I stocked up on the last batch of peaches and pears. We freeze some for winter.
Laporte Animal Clinic helped us with a sick chicken this weekend, thanks for being open on Saturday.
$18 at Fiona’s Deli - yummy, yummy, then $4.25 at Reader’s Cove - fabulous books for my boys! $20 is too easy, we practically do this daily or every other day!
breakfast and coffee at the Wild Boar - Tickets to CSU game. Go Rams!
I spend money at Choice City Shots nearly every week, and this week was no exception.
A night out with the fellows; Pickle Barrel, Crown Pub, Trailhead, Town Pump… Easily made my commitment for last week.
Signed up with Gallegos Sanitation and i go to beavers often
$20.26 for a book and a magazine at Al’s Newsstand.
Ate dinner with family at El Burrito
Just invested in a cowshare with Windsor Dairy!
New skillet and saucepan, both half price, at The Cupboard–check out their sale!; paint at Downtown Ace; a stovetop smoker at JAX; and my usual at the Farmers’ Market. Whew!
One of the easiest ways to spend my twenty is to shop at Beavers Market. What a great local none chain food market.
Spent well beyond the $20 this past week at the Cupboard, Downtown Ace, Ranchway, Poudre Feed, Coopersmith’s, Tasty Harmony, the Rio, Jax Farm & Ranch, Food Co-op, LaPorte Pizza and Chappelle Animal Hospital. AND at the Sustainable Living Fair!
Checking out the Sustainability Fair made me hungry, thirsty, and I must say dirty! Without any planning, I found everything I needed… a Tasty Harmony lunch with an Italian soda from Little Italian kitchen, New Belgium Mothership Wit, & really nice handmade soap from the alpaca farm booth. Lots of cool stuff at the fair, and I have to work there Sun. Will need good coffee to get me going - lucked out at Cafe Richesse booth with yummy whole beans at a great price. Easy shopping for basics I really needed–make sure you check out this year’s fair!
at farmers market in front of ace hardware
You can go local even when traveling: I was in Springfield IL all week for a conference. Found a great restaurant called Maldaner’s which has been there since the 1886. They use local food almost exclusively, and have a really great kitchen. Highly recommended.
I love to shop for birthday gifts at White Balcony. I always find something I would never find anywhere else, and something for me too!
Week 1 - Nonesuch theatre & chocolate cafe afterwards for dessert. What a great excuse to enjoy local outings.
Riding my bike downtown last Saturday, I realized that my back wheel was out of alignment. I dropped in on Full Cycle bikes at 230 S. College (just north of Olive Street) to get some help. They jumped right on it. I got a spoke repaired and a needed new tire for a reasonable price. What a life saver. Great customer service. And only $30. I had to give the repairman one of my farmer’s market apples as a tip.
Week 4 and 5: I realize I’m spending about 70-90% of my money for local purchases, so this 20/20 challenge is easy. This makes for a great awareness campaign and can help shift regular purchases to local. I bought some kitchen items and clothing at Jax outdoor store (I didn’t realize they have such a nice kitchen section — I’ve never gotten out of the shoe department or clothing
and also indulged in buying an ice cream maker and coffee beans at The Cupboard kitchen store. Also, my appointments at Sutton Naturopath and Inner Balance Chiro also helped!
Bought a mixture of fair trade greeting cards for a gift for my sister and some Divine Dark chocolate (yum) for myself at Ten Thousand Villages this past Saturday. They will have a booth at the Sustainable Living Fair, but alas, I cannot volunteer there this year due to another commitment. Also bought some Vanilla Extract which is packaged in Ft. Collins (Can’t remember by whom, I’ll look and let you know) from King Soopers last week. On a different note: anyone know of a good clock repair person in town? I have a grandfather clock that needs fixing. Thanks.
Last week I spend considerably more than $20, but we’ve been looking for a solution to our couch problem in the family room for years. A few weeks earlier, I bought a futon frame from a friend who was moving. Last week I managed to buy a mattress and cover from a store that is not only locally owned and operated, but sells mattresses and covers made in Denver! How nice to buy something truly local and not made in China. (I know there is a place in town that makes organic mattresses, but I don’t know if they make futon mattresses and they were much more than I was willing to spend for a family room.)
Haircut by Laurie Delmerico at Laurie’s Studio on the west side of town.
Spending $20 locally is really easy and I look forward to getting my local spending down near that. At the moment I am remodeling a house and am spending many thousands locally. We are trying to source local materials which takes a lot of effort. The easy part is using localbusinesses. We are using local carpenters, cabinet makers, plumbers, painters and electricians. We purchased appliances. lights, and flooring materials from local companies. All areas of construction have been hurting so it has been great to see our subcontractors hiring back laid off workers to complete our project!
Forgot… got feed ($16) at the local feed store and a rooster for $5! He is just beautiful and needs a name, any suggestions?
…spent 22 bucks at Eco thrift - love that place. W always get sheets there to rip ribbons to wrap our Solid Lotion Bars…we, at Queen of the Meadow, are all for reuse!
Peaches from the Farmer’s Market and Coffee beans from the Cupboard.
2 books from Matter Bookstore: The Geography of Childhood and Enduring Seeds. Both by Gary Paul Nabhan who kindly signed them for me after he spoke at the Center for Collaborative Conservation conference
My birthday was in August and my daughter bought me a wallet at one of the locally owned stores in old town. I love it.
Ate some delicious sandwiches at Backcountry Provisions!
It’s fun to buy gifts for new babies at Clothes Pony and Dandelion Toys. And a haircut just down the block, at Europa, is always a pleasant experience!
Spent over $20 at Poudre Feed and my typical
560-%70 at the Farmers’ Mkt.
Wow, we went out a lot last week. Cafe Vino, Coopersmiths, Walrus.
Needed watch repair and found third generation jewelers at Golden Images at 151 S College. Fast friendly service.
Monaco Trattoria in Loveland — if you haven’t tried it yet, you really should. Authentic Southern Italian cuisine(with a few excursions into Northern Italian cuisine) right here in northern Colorado. They’re closed on Monday, but open every other day for lunch and dinner.
Bought a travel coffee mug at The Cupboard. They have so many different types, and not too expensive.
Ordered and paid for a cycletote trailer so I can start picking up my CSA shares on my bike. Too much stuff for my backpack and basket!
Took 2 friends out to dinner at Taste of Harmony last nite - spent my full pledge and proud of it. Organic Riesling is splendid.
Does a $10 parking ticket on Walnut count towards my goal?
I found quite a few awesome things at Eco-thrift yesterday, and spent $21!
Enjoyed the movie Food, INC at the Lyric last night. Spent money locally to learn more about why you should get your food locally. Go see this movie even if you think you already know what’s in your PopTarts.
If you want to improve your singing, here is an easy way to spend your $20 locally for six weeks. The Singing Class (beginning voice class for adults) is $120 for six weeks on Wednesdays evenings 7-8:15pm in Old Town. Info and Register online at http://www.magnoliamusicstudio.com
Week #1 Scheduled a business lunch at Lulu Asian Bistro. Delicious! Spent more than $30 locally for lunch for three.
Week #1 Bought a birthday gift for a friend at Perennial Gardener and then celebrated with a matte latte at Muggs.
Week #2 Enjoyed lunch at Coopersmith’s, Farmer’s Market goodies and then spent the big wad at my local dentist for a cavity filling.
Week #3 Stocked up at the Farmers Market with goodies
just bottled local wine made from my dandelions and made peach butter with local (CO) peaches
Will be purchasing a $25 gift card to give as a birthday present from Ten Thousantd Villages(Probably buy it on Sunday).
Dinner Saturday at the Rio, Wednesday at Young’s Cafe. Coffee from Mugs, Starry Night and Cuppy’s. Jeans from Tula (HS reunion coming up, must look good.) I should get back to taking classes at Canyon Concert and BecomeFit to fit in them.
It turns out that Human Bean is not actually LOCAL - it’s a Western Franchise, albeit utterly yummy. SO today I tried a truly local coffee shop, Bean Cycle, and got 2 wet cappuccinos - one for Ron Z - and mine was splendid.
I spent $220 at the vets for check ups/shots for two dogs. They are local and awesome. Paws N Claws.
Breakfast at Lucile’s then replenished our nearly empty wine rack at Wilbur’s.
I needed a toner cartridge - Green Cartridge, which takes care of one week and then some. Farmer’s Market too, and then we went to Lyric and saw Food, Inc, today. Not exactly “fun” but a good outing.
Where to begin, spend lots of $$ at the Sat Farmers market on Howes St, a couple trips to Starry Nights, bought a used book at Firehouse Books, coffeebeans at Bean Cycle, shopped a few times at Beaver’s Market where among other things I bought some local cheese. Went to my favorite thrift store and scored a bike shirt, a retro orange windbreaker, a Melita coffee pot ($0.75!) and books.
I spent $96. at Bob Reed’s Poudre Drug — the only sole proprietorship pharmacy in the city. He takes an individual interest in his customers.
Human Bean 2x a day, I’ve got my pledge in 2 days - rather than a week. But I’m addicted. My friends know it. My husband knows it. Oh well, it’s wonderful! Milky Way Sugar Free Decaf Latte, 20 oz.
Incredible facial at Europa!
Fabulous Saturday morning at the Farmer’s market. Fun conversations. Great bread that I shared with others. Next time I will have my “wallet” sheet that I printed off your website to get signature.
It is so easy to spend at least $20 every Saturday at the Farmers’ Markets! From grass-fed beef to peaches, and all the beautiful vegetables! Wow~!
Fresh eggs, $1/dozen from Grant Family Farms at the Farmer’s Market - Score!! plus much more at the market on Sat. Pizza from Mancini’s, Dinner at the Canyon Grill on Horsetooth Reservoir and a lunch at Jimmy C’s Fish & Chips.
I shopped at Ranch Way Feed,Ft Collins, for pet products, wow, what great prices and they have so many choices of treats and dog food to choose from!
My dogs loved me when I got home:
Then I went to….
D.O.G.S. (Dog Owner’s General Store)
in Loveland, my dogs were groomed,they loved it…this was the first time for my dogs to try them out,they came home happy, and were gifted treats after there grooming,I highly recommend this shop:
The Farmers’ Market makes it easy — peaches, blackberries, mushrooms, dog cookies, wine.
La Creperie - try the tomato, onion and swiss galette; Brand Spanking Used on College - button-maker, ice cube tray, glass cutting board; OldFirehouse Book Store - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas on sale!
Took a business group to The Egg and I for lunch today. Tomorrow night we’re going to Chippers lanes.
Bought books this morning at Reader’s Cove. “Three Cups of Tea”, a biography of Mary Queen of Scots, “Pillars of the Earth” and an impulse biography called “Mozart’s Women”.
Had breakfast with my mom at Mugs one of her favorite coffee shops today. She also got to meet McCabe the owner. Also ran into other Be local members to share the 20/20 challenge and they went right inside log in and signed up. Get your friends to take the pledge
Just got a groovy waffle-weave hoodie from Adobe Designs in Loveland (in the old winery). The perfect shade of green.
Spreading the love to the Food Coop and the Farmer’s Market outside of the Lyric last night. No to mention the delicious meal at Cafe Vino yesterday! Today is a Cranial Sacral treatment at the Atrium Health Spa.
purchased labels from local company LabelTec, made on site. >$500.
Totally outfit the girls at Prima Bodywear. Everyone is now ready for dance classes starting tonight at Canyou Concert Ballet.
We went to the Chili House in South Fort Collins today - near the Hobby Lobby. Great lunch bargains and delicous Asian food. Give it a try.
I got my hair cut at Europa spa! It included a neck massage, a wash and a paraffin hand dip. SO relaxing!
A celebration at Coopersmith’s with friends - enjoyable and local!
I bought a big bottle of organic cleaner from Queen of the Meadow at the Farmer’s Market.
We loaded up on flavored honey spread from CoPoCo’s Honey Store on N. College Ave. this weekend. Lots of fun and tasty local products if you have not visited yet!
During farmers market season it is so easy in just one day. Corn, cheese, carrots, greens and fruit
We buy our “daily grind” at Cafe Vino, located in our office building. The staff is great and the coffee is delicious! We usually have lunch and/or an after work drink there at least once a week as well. Also, we buy great tea and British snacks @ The Cupboard each week!
Old Town is always the place to go shopping for birthday presents. I stopped by EsScentuals and Kansas City Kitty and picked up my sister great presents for her b-day.
Catching up with friends at Jays! Celebrating the opportunities and vision in our community!
We spent our (first)$20 on tickets to the Lyric to see Food Inc. and some locally grown popcorn. Inspiring movie!
At The Cupboard,I bought the most amazing lunchbag that looks better than my purse, and a “wrap-n-mat”, that you use to wrap your sandwich instead of plastic ( And I think the mat is a Fort Collins product as well). So now I’m stylish and eco-friendlier!
Going to Lyric Cinema for a brew, a treat and a film.
Poudre Feed people are extremely helpful even when there is no profit to be made.
Love to support downtown, I get my daily coffee at Mugs and Bean Cycle where I also picked up some coffee beans. Also got some misc kitchen gadgets at The Cupboard.. i think it went a bit over the $20 but that is great.
Our company also had a great lunch meeting with a zero waste platter including wraps, hummus and pita chips from Mugs. It was delcious and they were so kind to bring it to us in a ceramic platter which we returned.
grandson’s second birthday is coming up so off to clothes pony & dandelion toys. Wasn’t hard to spend 20 infact the challenge was to not blow my budget. I think he’ll love the stomp rocket.
We just bought a drum at Colorado Drum and Percussion in Old Town Fort Collins. Loved seeing a local musician from Bohemian Nights one weekend, and purchase from him the next week!
Purchased a cookbook at The Cupboard and a card just up the street in the square at a great little card store I can’t remember the name of. Then got a hair cut at Molly’s Salon.
Pleasure to spend $20 at Old Fireshouse Books. I hear “Natural Wakefulness: Discovering the Wisdom We Were Born With” is a wonderful read.
I always look forward to meals with Hanna at Raska. And to getting a new bottle of Natural Exuberant lotion!