'Buy local' movement takes off at shops in Providence, R.I.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A lot of things have helped Deb Dormody and her partners turn their annual holiday craft show, Craftland, into a year-round permanent store: a growing appreciation for handmade goods, a desire to support the arts, and -- surprisingly -- the bad economy, which she says has pushed people to examine how they spend their money.

"People can feel really good about what they're purchasing," she said. "Being able to say to the recipient, ... 'I know the person who made this. This person lives here in town."'

Providence is among many cities and states that's pushing a "buy local" philosophy this holiday season, with Mayor David Cicilline saying the businesses are critical to the economy of the city, capital of a state where unemployment stands at 12.9 percent. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson urged residents of his state to spend $25 at each of two local stores this month, saying it could have a $27 million economic impact, and cities including Cambridge and Somerville, Mass., and Portland, Maine, have similar pushes.

A survey of independent retailers earlier this year by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance found that independent stores in cities with Buy Local campaigns saw only a 3.2 percent drop in holiday sales last year, compared with a 5.6 percent drop in cities without one.

In Providence, Dormody and other shop owners say the city's dual campaigns -- "Buy Providence" is in its fifth year, and "Buy Art Providence" is in its second -- as well as economic conditions have helped prompt people to appreciate items made locally or that benefit their neighbors.

"It's something we're going to try to do more this year," said Mark Wilcox, of Providence, who with his wife, Jennifer, on Friday bought some gift items at Craftland. The couple said they like shopping at the store, which opened year-round in August after several holiday seasons as a pop-up store. It features the work of 170 artists, about half of them local.

There are also people who appreciate the variety of unique gifts they can find at local shops.

"As I walked in, I thought what a different feel it was compared to yesterday at the mall," said Ginny Stack, of South Kingstown, who bought a set of silver earrings for her daughter-in-law at Craftland. "You kind of feel like you might find more of a one-of-a-kind."

The city's campaigns include relaxed rules on street parking in shopping neighborhoods for the month of December, a free weekend trolley that travels between shopping districts and pins designed by local artists that boast "I Buy Art" and are given out free by retailers to customers who purchase art, other handmade objects or even memberships to the Museum at the Rhode Island School of Design during the month.

Even though the campaigns are aimed at buying local, Dormody said they see people from around the region, particularly from Boston and New York.

Jerri Streeter, retail director of RISD Expose, a pop-up store opened in November and featuring the work of RISD undergraduates, said they've had visitors from around the world in the short time they've been open.

Emily Walker, a family physician visiting from Hartford, Conn., bought wall decals and a onesie hand-decorated with a toucan for her 2 1/2-year-old niece at Kreatelier, and said she likes supporting similar small businesses.

"I love the handmade things," she said. "I love the creativity that goes into it."