Buy Local Season is here!
Lowcountry Local First launched its 15th annual Buy Local Season campaign on October 1st as a grassroots movement to build awareness for the positive community benefits of supporting local, independent businesses, particularly during the holiday season. The organization urges the community to shift their holiday spending to local businesses that are rooted in the community and often rely on healthy fourth quarter numbers to survive. With costs rising across the board for many local businesses, the need for community support is particularly potent this year.
“When we choose to spend our money with local businesses, we're doing more than making a purchase. We're building the kind of community we want to live in. Every dollar that stays close to home, supports local jobs, fosters entrepreneurship, and creates a ripple effect of economic growth that touches everyone," says Maud Bentley, Lowcountry Local First's Director of Creative & Marketing. "This holiday season, we encourage everyone to shop locally. Not only will you find unique, meaningful gifts, but you’ll also be investing in the success of your neighbors instead of corporate chains and far-away billionaires.”
To amplify the Buy Local Season this year, Lowcountry Local First is going beyond its loud marketing campaign to also include the launch of the 2027 Localist Card and special pop-up deals and events for 2026 and 2027 card-carrying Locals, a holiday market community calendar, a Local Social event and its Buy Local Block Party.
The public can also find Lowcountry Local First at the Buy Local Block Party on December 19 at Holy City Brewing. Shop 40+ local vendors at this free, family-friendly holiday event. Explore Lowcountry Local First’s holiday market calendar on the blog for more opportunities to shop local throughout the season.
Buy Local Season is proudly presented by REV Federal Credit Union. “At the heart of REV’s mission of Growth with Purpose is a commitment to creating long-term community well-being. What better way to do that than to support the small, local, and independently owned businesses that make Charleston such a wonderful place to call home! By joining forces with Lowcountry Local First, we’re able to highlight these organizations and reinforce the importance of spending your dollars locally this holiday season.”
Buy Local Season is made possible through the support of these fabuous partners:
REV Federal Credit Union, Holy City Brewing, The Post and Courier, The Local Palate, Charleston Magazine, Charleston City Paper, The Bridge 105.5, the City of North Charleston, Nelson Printing, Silver Hill Studio, Pollen AI, The Station Park Circle. Additional support comes from our Local Economic Ambassador Members: Charleston County Economic Development, the City of Goose Creek, the Town of Mount Pleasant, the Town of James Island, the City of North Charleston