Kalamazoo Businesses Bring the Indie Message Home to Kids

Nicole Butz and Joanna Parzakonis, co-owners of Bookbug in Kalamazoo, Michigan, have lanuched a promotion that unites a group of independent, locally owned businesses under the name "Indie Kids Kalamazoo." The program offers families a passport "to help them shop responsibly and save money at some of Kalamazoo's kid-friendliest businesses," the group said.

The "Holiday Passport," which entitles shoppers to discounts at 14 area retailers, can be picked up at any participating business, where customers will receive an immediate 10 percent off their purchase. They'll also receive an additional 10 percent discount when they shop at any of the other IndieKid businesses for the first time. Passports are stamped when each purchase is made, and customers whose passports bear nine stamps from at least five different businesses may redeem it at any IndieKid participant for $5 worth of merchandise.

Among the participating businesses are a skate shop, art store, shoe shop, record store, cycle shop, food stores, and more. Butz and Parzakonis said that "businesses were approached to join based on their location, independent ownership, willingness to discount their products, family-friendliness, and commitment to community." Their hope is for membership to grow as new campaigns are developed to counter the struggling economy into the next year.

"We are keenly aware, not just as business owners, but as moms ourselves, that families are looking for ways to save this year," said Parzakonis in a statement. "Creating this passport is our way of saying that we understand and that we're committed to keeping Kalamazoo strong, unique, and vibrant in the midst of a tough economy. When parents choose to buy gifts locally, from independently owned businesses they're not only often buying better quality they're also supporting a more meaningful community for their kids. We know that this matters to many parents and that shopping online and with chain retailers doesn't 'save' money for them when a greater percentage of those profits go elsewhere. With this savings passport, we are now often beating our online and chain competitors' actual prices as well."

Though the passport can be stamped through December 24, 2008, and redeemed through the end of January 2009, Butz and Parzakonis expect that "IndieKids Kalamazoo" will continue to provide seasonal savings opportunities to families and marketing support for locally owned independent, kid-friendly businesses throughout the new year.