Even in these tough economic times, most of us still went holiday shopping. But how we choose to spend our money is of particular importance. Heading to discount chains and box stores searching for bargains might have eased your financial pains in December. But January and February is what we
really need to be thinking about. That’s why I want to emphasize another strategy that can be part of the solution: shop local.

Far more of the money spent at local businesses is reinvested in the community. This helps other local businesses, which creates greater diversity and helps the community maintain its unique appeal. Shopping local is environmentally friendly, too - it creates less traffic and pollution.

In December I announced Shop SF, Get More, a city-wide incentive program to encourage local and Bay Area residents to visit, shop, and stay in San Francisco during December and January. The campaign offers special discounts and promotions exclusively for residents of the nine Bay Area counties including:

Show Your Zip Code: residents in the nine-county Bay Area are eligible to receive special discounts, by showing their ZIP code at participating merchants.

Parking and Public Transit Discounts: locals and visitors can ride Muni and explore San Francisco on one transfer all day, every Sunday with the Sunday FunDay Pass. Cars entering designated city-owned parking garages receive special validation under the Ride with More, Park for Less incentive program.

Hotels: San Francisco hotels are offering reduced rates, complimentary parking and breakfast, and a variety of discounted holiday packages. In January, select San Francisco hotels will be offering, "3 Nights for the Price of 2."

Restaurants: Through the Show Your Zip Code program, residents are eligible for special promotions at select San Francisco restaurants. In January, "Dine About Town" will offer fixed-price three course lunches and dinners at over 100 restaurants.

Shop Local: Special promotions and shopping events are occurring in unique neighborhood commercial districts across the city, including late night shopping, street lighting events and weekend sidewalk sales.

Museums: free days and free child admissions at many of the city’s finest cultural institutions.

Now that the holiday shopping dies down, it will be even more important to keep the focus local. Supporting your local business will go a long way in ensuring a strong local economy, and help keep everyone afloat.

We must continue working to ensure that our small businesses remain strong and tourism thrives. Shop SF will showcase our world-class dining, museums, events, attractions, and hotels. And let us not forget, it is also an opportunity to experience all the beauty and excitement of one of the greatest cities in the world.

Available discounts are compiled on the Convention & Visitors Bureau website, www.onlyinSanFrancisco.com. Shop SF is also linked on the SF Chamber of Commerce website, and other websites throughout the Bay Area.



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