Announce formation of new Louisville Independent Business Alliance
LOUISVILLE, KY – The business owners who spearheaded the “Keep Louisville Weird” campaign gathered today to celebrate the formation of the
At a press conference at ear X-tacy Records earlier this morning, ear X-tacy president and Keep Louisville Weird founder John Timmons stated the goals of the new IBA, which include developing a brand for local independent business owners, coordinating group advertising and promotions, encouraging interdependence within the independent business community, and working with local government on policy that supports community-oriented enterprise.
John Fischer of the Louisville Metro Development Office was on hand to present the group with an official proclamation from Mayor Jerry Abramson, declaring July 1 – 7 as “Keep Louisville Weird Week.” Don Burch of Quest Outdoors outlined a week of special promotions that participating Keep Louisville Weird merchants would offer during the week, noting that “Not all of the ‘best buys’ come from the Big Box stores.”
In addition to Timmons and Burch, fellow IBA founder Mike Mays of Heine Brothers Coffee was in attendance. Rob Auerbach of Rainbow Blossom Natural Foods Markets was represented by his daughter Summer, who read from a statement which her father had prepared. Emphasizing the community involvement aspect of the independent business community, he wrote, “When we all got together and discussed our involvement with the community we realized we collectively had supported close to 2000 local organizations! People need to realize that in order for us to support them, they need to support us; it is really that simple. Thus keep
