Keep It Local OK movement

[metro]

I'm kind of disappointed and surprised that no one posted anything on this yet. Their launch party was last week.

Welcome to Keep It Local OK!

[CaseyCornett]

I was at the launch and, unsurprisingly, it was packed. "1708"/"Cafe Evoke" is such a cool little venue.

[FritterGirl]

Wanted to go to the launch, but had another engagement. It IS a cool initiative. Can't wait to get my card.

[mugofbeer]

It's easy - Sonic instead of McDonalds.
Johnnies instead of Chili's

what else folks? Get some good names out there!

[Matt]

Johnnies instead of Chili's

Apple's instead of Orange's.

How 'bout Pizza House instead of Papa John's? Crest instead of Walmart?

[OKC@heart]

Fantastic Idea!!! It is this type of local thinking that is going to help continue to grow the local economy. Keep the multiplier effect going in our local economy not in the coffers of the national chains! Woohoo!!! When I move back that will be one of my first acquisitions! Get the card that makes a statement and supports those who have invested in the city!

[CaseyCornett]

Rococo Restaurant, Iguana Grill...

[EvokeCoffee]

We are excited to be a part of it! I hope everyone gets out and picks up their cards and starts shopping (or eating or whatever)!

[gmwise]

I hope the lack of publicity isnt an indication of dedication of its leadership.

[Urbanized]

I know you're probably just trolling with your negativity, but I'll bite. To question "the dedication of its leadership" less than a week after the launch party - and as far as I can guess because you haven't happened to see or hear ads - is pretty unfair. Especially when the launch party was - by all accounts I've heard - hugely successful.

I know I personally have seen quite a bit of advertising locally for them, and I've seen articles about them in the Gazette and The Oklahoman. But beyond that, my understanding is that much of their strategy relies on social media and what social media experts are referring to as "influencers." This fits perfectly with the national buy local movement, which is heavily driven by social media and local "influencers." Those people are far more likely to buy into the buy local movement than the average person they might catch by advertising on the 6 PM news. They're more qualified prospects.

By that measure, they hit the exact right notes involving Cafe Evoke, Chef Ryan Parrott and COOP Aleworks, who are all leaders in the local social media for business scene. Another measure of their social media success is that within a week of launch they have 1,600 fans on Facebook and 1,800 followers on Twitter. In all fairness they have been active on FB and Twitter for a while, but anybody who is working to build their business online social media following will tell you that those are impressive numbers.

[metro]

Not to mention it's a nonprofit and don't have deep pockets to advertise like traditional media.

[mugofbeer]

Don't expect regular TV/Radio/Newspaper media who is owned by and/or relies on national corporate advertising to some extent to highly publicize such a group. The Gazette and other community publications would be the ones to do that. If the organization has sufficient financial support they can do their own advertising.

[Urbanized]

Well, The Oklahoman is not totally running away from them:

Here's a NewsOK video that Keep It Local OK just linked on Twitter.

[tuck]

This movement will gain traction in time. AGE has joined for all locations; such an easy decision. The launch party was full all night long. I don't see a downside at all.

[stephy]

So, umm, does this mean you people now don't want Whole Foods or Trader Joes here?

I'm really trying to understand this city, but I see the exact same people in this thread chiming in on getting a WF here, or filling out a survey to show how much we want some of the more affluent chains in OKC. Not to mention numerous other threads that are the exact opposite in ideals as the subject of this thread.

Which is it?

[mugofbeer]

So, umm, does this mean you people now don't want Whole Foods or Trader Joes here?

I'm really trying to understand this city, but I see the exact same people in this thread chiming in on getting a WF here, or filling out a survey to show how much we want some of the more affluent chains in OKC. Not to mention numerous other threads that are the exact opposite in ideals as the subject of this thread.

Which is it?

Whole Foods or Trader Joe's (what I understand of it since I've never seen one) DOES NOT EQUAL Homeland or Buy-4-Less. Two different types of stores that don't have an OK owned alternative.

[stephy]

Whole Foods or Trader Joe's (what I understand of it since I've never seen one) DOES NOT EQUAL Homeland or Buy-4-Less. Two different types of stores that don't have an OK owned alternative.

Hmm, well I never said that WF & Trader Joes = homeland or buy-4-less.

I'm actually not really sure where you're trying to go with this.

A quick look in the yellow pages shows me LOTS of locally and OK owned alternatives.

short list:

Oklahoma Food Cooperative
Sooner Produce
First Fruits Berry Farm
Pinata Produce
Agnew Grocery
Anderson Food mart
Angels Produce

and, of course, Akins


I've only lived here for a few months so I, of course, don't know where ALL the locally owned grocery places are, but I'm sure this "Keep It Local" initiative can produce a bunch more alternatives.

Maybe if more of these stores were supported by the locals, they would thrive and become as "elite" as WF. Of course, maybe WF will see this initiative and decide it's not in their best interest to enter such a hostile market.

<shrug> who knows?

[PennyQuilts]

Hmm, well I never said that WF & Trader Joes = homeland or buy-4-less.

I'm actually not really sure where you're trying to go with this.

A quick look in the yellow pages shows me LOTS of locally and OK owned alternatives.

short list:

Oklahoma Food Cooperative
Sooner Produce
First Fruits Berry Farm
Pinata Produce
Agnew Grocery
Anderson Food mart
Angels Produce

and, of course, Akins


I've only lived here for a few months so I, of course, don't know where ALL the locally owned grocery places are, but I'm sure this "Keep It Local" initiative can produce a bunch more alternatives.

Maybe if more of these stores were supported by the locals, they would thrive and become as "elite" as WF. Of course, maybe WF will see this initiative and decide it's not in their best interest to enter such a hostile market.

<shrug> who knows?

You aren't the crazy one. It is often a question of trendiness, on some of these chain stores. Very inconsistent but being trendy isn't about being consistent.

You know, I always enjoyed going to Trader Joes but let's face it - it was just easy to go there and get stuff. Buying and supporting local takes effort and commitment. I think its great and support it. I'm almost embarassed to talk about Traders Joes because I feel like I am advertising that I'd rather spend money than take the time. Sorta goes against a protestant work ethic, don't cha know. But for a lot of people, they have more money than time and I get that.

[mugofbeer]

So, umm, does this mean you people now don't want Whole Foods or Trader Joes here?

I'm really trying to understand this city, but I see the exact same people in this thread chiming in on getting a WF here, or filling out a survey to show how much we want some of the more affluent chains in OKC. Not to mention numerous other threads that are the exact opposite in ideals as the subject of this thread.

Which is it?

Stephy, I don't know if I am understanding you or not but if you are new to the city here is my take. OKC is a city that has lived through a very long period of having an inferiority complex. It is a city that has a lot of people but has not had as much wealth as many cities it's size. Outside retailers look at OKC and see there is no concentrated area of wealth and wealthy demographics so they have often chosen to skip OKC. Other, smaller cities such as Tulsa or Omaha or Albuquerque have gotten certain retailers where OKC has not.

OKC is traditionally a value oriented city - thus our love for fast food restaurants, Wal Mart and anything that can be gotten cheaper. However, with MAPS, improved economy with higher oil and gas prices and some good fortune like landing an NBA team, people are breaking out of that inferiority complex. Except for a shrinking group of ever-nay-sayers who won't support anything that is an investment in their city, people in OKC are looking for alternatives.

People here have long gone to other cities for shopping excursions. When we go to Dallas or KC or Atlanta or Austin and see some of the venues they have for simple things like grocery stores, a segment of the citizens here would like to have that. Whole Foods is an example of an organic grocer who has tremendous meats, fish, produce and prepared foods - something that can't be easily found here.

Personally, I don't care about the organic issue but lots of people do. I'd be happy to just see a top quality regular grocery store open a few locations that has a butcher shop, prepared foods and great produce. Sure, I'll go to Kamps when I can because it is local but its a long way from where I live.

Finally, related to the fact a lot of people in OKC want new alternatives that are found in most other large US cities, there is image. We are trying to break out of our inferiority complex and image means a lot. Its not trying to be vein but simply growing up some. When a city has more to offer, it's children might think more about staying home rather than looking for a better life in Dallas or Atlanta or Chicago.

Hope that helps.

[metro]

stephy, I think with anything, diversity is key; as the old saying goes, don't put all your eggs in one basket. I think most of the posters here want a healthy mix of good local retail selection, coupled with a few highly desirable national chains that the locals just can't offer due to economies of scale.

[stephy]

But that's not "Keeping it Local". If the locals can't offer something due to economics, then obviously they aren't being supported by the local community.

[progressive_liberal_lion]

lol

[gmwise]

Sorry Urbanized,I wasnt trying to "troll",just a observation and a hope.
But I'm sure the "locals" could have done a better job.
Reaching out to neighborhood associations, and other community groups.
But muggs make a good point to say unless they have finances to fund their own publicity.
Those media outlets tend not to support a "buy local" unless it comes with a nice ad buy.
I have not heard of them on Twitter nor Facebook.
All media outlets have "local happenings", once again I have not read or heard of it.

[Urbanized]

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[gmwise]

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Thank you.