Buy Local Thrive Local

Indian Creek Orchards now has they're own apple wines available for sale.  You can't get more local than this - their own apples and processed/aged/bottled locally too.  They have Honeycrisp dry and an Autumncrisp semi-sweet.  If you go to Indian Creek Winery and Grille, downtown St. Croix Falls, you can have a free sampling.  Plus if you're a Buy Local Thrive Local member you can get the special glass price at the Indian Creek Winery and Grille through Valentines Day.  For more info on the wines click here

Here's a picture of the label.  I can attest to the yumminess of the wines....

Buy Local Thrive Local member, Judy Miller of Fur-Get-Me-Nots, downtown St. Croix Falls, related this story to VISTA Julie about a customer’s experience at a “big box” store.   It’s a perfect example of why small businesses are so great.

It seems a customer purchased a bark collar from a “big box” store at $10 more than Judy’s price.  When the battery wore out the “big box” said that the battery wasn’t replaceable and she would have to buy another collar (at $79!).  The customer then went to Judy and asked her about that, and Judy  didn’t think that sounded right either.  Judy called the manufacture and found out that the battery is replaceable. 

Lessons learned:

A) Big stores don’t always have the lower price.

B) Most small stores have better product knowledge or will find the answer for you.

C) Judy didn’t hold it against her customer for buying the collar at a “big box” .

Buy Local Thrive Local!

Winter is tough on restaurants - not many tourists, and the down economy is starting to really hit small towns, so if you like variety in dining now's the time to eat out when you can. It's been great having dining choices the last couple of years so we need to ensure we keep having a choice. Use 'em or lose 'em... If you have a good meal give a post!  Hmmmm where shall I go for lunch today????

We have such a great mix of Buy Local Thrive Local business members, and here's another great special from one of our new members, Dr. Kelley Hagenbuch

25% discount on initial herbal consultation plus herbs! Initial consultation is normally $75.00 and average herb costs are $25.00.  Dr Kelley offices at the Equinox Health Center in Taylors Falls.  Phone 763-245-3894; email: dr.kelley@yahoo.com; website www.doctorweedmaster.com  

Not a free member of Buy Local Thrive Local?  Join now by sending your contact info to julie[at]cityofstcroixfalls.com!

Starting this week our Buy Local Thrive Local business members are starting member only specials.  We have two to offer right now.  Click here to see, or go to the MEMBER SPECIALS tab on the top of the page. 

If you're not already a free member of Buy Local Thrive Local just send your contact info to julie[at]cityofstcroixfalls.com and we'll get a welcome packet off to you right away!

We're excited by the new Executive Director of the Falls Chamber.  Cindy Stimmler will be a great addition to their organization!  It will be nice having the Chamber office open four days a week from 9 to 4 too.

Everyone here at Buy Local Thrive Local wish you and yours a wonderful holiday!  We hope you stay safe and dry in the storm.  What timing!  It certainly will be a white Christmas around here.

We also want to thank the city crew (and all the other road crews out there) who are cancelling their Christmas plans to plow our streets and highways.  Until we started working at city hall I think we all took them for granted.  They work long hours and are available 24/7 to keep us safe on the roads.  Thank you!

Again, we wish you well this beautiful season.

St. Croix Falls Buy Local Thrive Local remindsyou that Buy Local Thrive Local canvas bags make a great last minute present! You could even use them as a decorative bag for the present that's IN the bag. I (Julie) might be travelling on Wed (depends on the storm), so if you're interested you need to come in today or tomorrow.  Here's the link for the price list. If you become a free member of BLTL you get the first bag at the special member price!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!  Downtown SCF is getting into the Christmas spirit this weekend (and next Thursday) with Santa, free hot drinks, treats (donations to the food shelf), carolers, and (hopefully) some animals to pet (still workin' on that one).  If you have Buy Local Bucks to spend bring them with you!  Here's the skinny.......

It's getting cold outside and it would be nice to take our dogs along on errands to break up their day.  Other than Coffee Talk and Fur Get Me Nots, does anyone know of other dog friendly businesses?  Let us know!

Here's a picture of Scuppers at Fur Get Me Nots where we bought some food, a couple of chews, and a new plush toy (Frosty the snowman!)....