See Photos of your Friends who GET IT!

The I GET IT Team was at the Blue Collar BBQ in downtown Faribault and captured  photos of these wonderful people from in and around Faribault.

They all understand the importance of supporting local business by shopping locally.

Here is what they said:

• I enjoy the variety of restaurants.
• Many wonderful places to shop: Keepers Antiques, Window Box, Kay’s Floral, Sweet Spot, Eastman’s Dynamic Daze & Sweet Spot Candy Faribault Print, Erickson Furniture.
• Great friendly personal treatment
• We love the Sweet Spot.
• I love Hy-Vee The Coffee Shop!
• I buy all my computers from Pantheon
• Hy-Vee is the best!
• Visit the East Side Kwik Trip & Cheese Shop Shop
• The Cheese Cave,  new things all the time!
• Coffee Shop is so good.
• Love the Paradise & love Nelson’s
• Love the Crafty Maven for friendly service & unique gifts.
• The Depot Restaurant has the best food. Welcome back, Jeff!
• Hy-Vee has great pizza. Nelsons!!
• Harry Brown’s is very friendly and a pleasurable place to do business.
• I loved comedy sportz night at the Paradise
• I eat at Perkin’s all the time.
• We buy local because of my family business. So we buy here so that they will buy at our business.
• Hy-Vee is a great grocery store
• The growth of unique downtown stores.
• Burkhartzmeyer Shoes is awesome
• Have shopped at Nelson’s for over 35 years.
• We buy almost all our furniture from Erickson’s.
• I do all my shopping in Faribault. I’ll only shop elsewhere if I can’t find it here. Shop Local!
• Favorites are Cheese Cave, Sweet Spot and Milltown Cycles.
• We love Hy-Vee,  Nook & Cranny has a lot of neat hand-crafted items
• I support Erickson Furniture.
• Eating at Bernie’s for breakfast is great!
• Anne Belle Creations is the neatest little shop- a gem!
• Sweet Shop is a fun place for the family to go.
• Cheese Cave, The Coffee shop,Mill Town bike shop, Hy-Vee &  JCPenney are my favorites
• We shop almost always in Faribault.
• Breakfast at Bernie’s every Sunday.
• Long time supporters of Faribault since we’ve been business owners in Faribault Farm supplies
• We had great, timely quality work done on our home by Luiken construction.
• Curves is my favorite!
• Ace is the place!
• Faribault is a great little town! Besides being in walking distance from my house I can visit unique shops (Nook & Cranny) and my favorite restaurant, The Depot without working up much of a sweat. Faribault- have a great time!
• A great place to live with my family.
• Sunset Studios – plus I like the convenience,  lower prices and friendly service.
• Ace Hardware is terrific
• I am an out of towner but I love to send flowers to mom from Bloom Floral.
• Creating A Ruckus- great variety of unique gifts.
• Nelson’s, State Bank of Faribault- the BEST!
• I love the cheese store- great gifts!
• Eastmans – a great shop with great staff (Dave Miller)
• Nelson’s catering
• Crafty maven rocks!
• KFC  – my favorite spot!
• I love the Sweet Spot! Marie is great! I like shopping and supporting Faribault businesses.
• Coffee shop- great!
• Bernie’s Restaurant always offers great food & great service.
• I enjoy the convenience and the helpfulness of Ace Hardware.
• Creating a Ruckus has the most unique gifts. Shop local.
• Cheese Cave is great Best ice cream and fudge at the sweet spot.
• My favorites…The Coffee Shop, JCPenney, Wal-Mart, Sweet Shop, Bernie’s, McDonalds, Perkins, Sr Center, Country Kitchen
• We love eating @ Depot!
• My favorite restaurant is Grand Plaza. The food is great!
• I just loved Crafty Maven- great gifts.
• Ace Hardware- fantastic customer service 54 years in Faribault.
• Erickson Furniture is our favorite
• I shop at Nelson’s for my work and I’m real happy about it.
• I enjoy Joe’s Sports Bar very good food, $5 burgers.
• Shopping Faribault saves gas and helps our economy.
• Everything!
• Nelson’s Marketplace
• We Support Boston’s
• Love Woodland Art.
• We love the Coffee Shop!
• Ace, Harry Brown’s, Lyon’s Meats, Farm Store.
• I appreciate the customer service we received at B & B sporting.
• I love shopping in Faribault. Support your friends & neighbors!
• I really enjoy the “old” downtown feel. The brick buildings are nice and the people are very friendly. I love the convenience and the ability to deal directly with owners.
• The Depot!
• Anna Dees is great!.
• We mostly shop Faribault. Clothing elsewhere- we need a good large woman’s store. Thanks!
• I love shopping at the Clothes Closet!!!!
• I like shopping at Creating A Ruckus. Participate at Paradise Center for the Arts.
• Enjoy food @ Depot.
• Great food at Gran Plaza.
• Bought my new car here!
• Love Hy-Vee, beats Cub everyday.
• Nelson- extra help at the store and food @ deli
• The coffee shop is the best coffee shop around -the best tasting brew and the best tasting baked goods you can’t go wrong by choosing “The Coffee Shop”
• Eastman’s Music has great service!
• Spike’s is a great place to meet friends on a Saturday for lunch.
• Weddings by Deb- just awesome!
• Erickson Furniture, Spike’s, Bruckwork, Maurices, JCPenneys, Woodland Art. Clearsite New Media Paradise B & J Sewing, Focus on Fabric, Clothes Closet.
• We love Boston’s Grill
• I like to shop at the Faribo West Mall
• Our favoriate places are  Gran Plaza. Ace is great. Depot, Cheese Cave, Shop Faribo!
• Good shopping for crafty made items. There are many surprise shops in Faribault- always fun to wander into them!
• I really like the mexican bakery on Central Avenue. It’s delicious! Fresh, and supporting a local business!
• Woodland Arts, The Cheese Cave I used to live here and love to come back to visit.
• Glam Central Salon- Catherine is awesome!
• Eastman Music- can’t beat Dave & his knowledge.
• Local is always best. Why shop elsewhere and spend money in other counties when we can use the money to support our own community and county.
• Thanks Faribult- we love you!
• Everything!
• I love going to the PCA & all the events they have.
• Do not like to go out of town for anything.
• Ice cream @ Sweet Spot
• I love this town our favorite places are The Cheese Cave. Nook & Cranny, Boston’s s and El Tequila
• Our boys will only eat at Godfather’s for restaurant pizza
• Crafty Maven, Paddington’s, Deb’s Weddings, Sweet Spot
• We love Bernies, Hy-Vee, Walgreens
• JCPenney’s is my favorite place to shop in town. Good merchandise.
• Love Ace and other local stores that meet you at the door and give you personal service.
• Tree Frog music festival.
• Culligan Water. Better Water. Pure & Simple.
• I like the video game haven because they’re polite and negotiable with prices.
• Downtown shops are personable & unique.
• The Sweet Spot- great candy Downtown Faribault is the place to be!
• Locally has something for everyone.
• I love to shop the Faribo West Mall, especially the $$ store.
• Paradise Center for the arts- great for the community.
• Nelsons- my grocery store.
• Focus on Fabrics.
• El Tequilla- favorite restaurant.
• Paradise for the Arts Ace Hardware is great.
• Dollar Store has great deals, Wal-Mart, Jimmy Johns, Cheese Restaurant.
• Faribault Rules. I’ve have too many favorites to count.
• I remember shopping downtown with my mother at The Leader, Burkhartzmeyer Shoes and I believe it was called S & L.
• Hy-Vee is so friendly.
• Bernie’s service has great.
• Loves Boston’s
• Join us here in Faribault, because we get it. Faribault I’ve had too many great experiences in Faribault to think of one specifically

Win a LAP TOP

Come to the Blue Collar BBQ in Downtown Faribault – Saturday August 21 and register to win a LAP TOP Computer sponsored by Pantheon Computer Systems.

Just find the  I GET IT Booth and register – no obligation.

Mother’s Day Shopping

Faribault is a great place for happy Mom’s! 

Think about flowers and candy!  Maybe some great jewelry or a new jazzy blouse!  Mom might like something for the garden or kitchen, but not too practical, make it fun!  Maybe something different this year too, a massage or theater tickets?  How about a night out at a great local restaurant?

Maybe your mom needs something new for her car or office?  Maybe shoes or a scarf, an apron or fancy soaps? No matter what your Mom wants or needs — You can GET IT in Faribault! 

Ladies – do what you do best – TAKE CHARGE and GET IT FOR YOURSELF!  Grab your mom, your daughter, your sisters and friends and make a night of celebrating Motherhood!  Thursday nights is Mom’s night out in Faribault! 

Happy Mother’s Day to all the great women of the Faribault Area!

Faribault Business Expo – 2010

It’s Almost Showtime! Mark your calendar… Thursday, April 29th.

The 2010Expo will be an interactive and entertaining event that will continue the tradition of drawing in many people who are looking to get information on local sales and products from Faribault Businesses. Be sure to stop buy the I Get It! in Faribault booth@

Once again, The Chamber is excited to be partnering with the Faribault Foundation in providing a large non-profit area at the Expo. Visitors to the Expo will have the chance to meet and learn first hand about local non-profit groups.

The Expo will be open from 2pm to 7pm.

If you have not yet received your Expo brochure/contract in the mail, you can download it from the Chamber web site at www.faribaultmn.org.

What Did You Get In Faribault?

We’ve heard some great stories from shoppers buying in Faribault. Feel free to share yours here!

The Goal of I Get It! in Faribault!

When you support local businesses, you support a better quality of life for yourself and generations to come. That’s the key message of this exciting, new public awareness campaign, initiated by the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce.

The goal of I GET IT! in Faribault is to increase local retail and service sales to thereby revitalize our area economy while creating a brighter future for our community. The campaign was developed to reduce the amount of business lost to companies outside our community.

We encourage all Faribault businesses, organizations and residents to make an effort to buy locally, and to make a pledge to shift more of their current spending back to our community.

I encourage all Faribault businesses and residents to check out information on the website www.ShopFaribaultMN.com or check with the Chamber of Commerce for further information.

Jan Roberts
Faribo Insurance

Whose Business is it anyway?

Where did you get that?

Whose business is it anyway?   It’s everyone’s business where you shop because supporting our local businesses is essential to a prosperous community.   When we buy locally, the dollars spent “roll over” a number of times in the community.  According to experts, retail dollars roll over approximately 3 ½ to 4 times in a community.  Retail profit margins are often very small, depending on the type of products sold.  Longer hours are often a challenge for retailers, with labor costs being significant.  The lure of on-line shopping is strong too, but except for local businesses that make on-line shopping an option; internet shopping contributes nothing to our local economy through salaries, taxes and local support. Today’s economic news provides another reason to shop at home. While the 24 hour news stations are telling everyone how tough times are, let’s do what we can to support the businesses in our own hometown. 

The spring and summer seasons are very important for the success of our retail community. We enjoy a robust and diverse economy in the Faribault area.  Whether your personal preference for a shopping experience is one of the quaint historic downtown shops, “big box” stores, a unique shop tucked away within our community or the mall and strip malls around town, Faribault is fortunate to have such amazing choices.  Each experience has its own special charm, and there truly is something for everyone here. 

Before you pick up the phone to place a catalog order or go on-line to make your next purchase or jump in your car to shop in another town…Ask yourself these questions.

Do the stores I patronize:

• Contribute to worthy local causes?
• Pay taxes to help fight crime and make improvements in my community?
• Let my club or organization put posters in their windows?
• Contribute to local youth groups for camp or sports or music programs? 
• Buy and ad in the high school yearbook?
• Greet me if I passed them on the street?
• Support the United Way or Local Food Shelf?
• Stand behind the products and services they sell?

The people who own and operate small businesses take a risk every day.  They open their doors, sweep off the welcome mat and prepare to greet their customers.   They shoulder a significant tax burden for the benefit of all of us. They employ people who then in turn engage in the commerce of the community too.  They offer benefits when they can and become a home away from home for employees every day. They build windows, produce cable, and process beans and turkeys. They provide our businesses with technology and staffing. They insure our homes and possessions and help us stay warm and safe.  They build buildings and make signs and sell TV’s, cars, and jewelry.  They take care of our health and our kids.  They keep us looking good and having fun.  They keep us fed and provide entertainment, along with places to meet and connect.  They build the community and make our quality of life very special.  The products and services they offer enrich and sustain our lives. 

Faribault businesses are poised and ready for your business.    In a special way I would like to thank the members of the Chamber of Commerce. These businesses contribute financially and with volunteer hours, to help make our community a great place to live and work.  

We must all support local businesses, shop Faribault first, and encourage family friends and co-workers to do the same.   Doing so increases the likelihood of financial success and longevity for our local businesses. That success benefits the whole community.

Easter Egg Hunt and Activities Around Town

Saturday April 11 is  filled  with Easter Fun!

• Shattuck-St. Mary’s School community Easter Egg Hunt begins at 10:30. After the hunt, guests are invited to the Shattuck gym where music groups will perform.
• Easter Egg Hunt at Central Park, sponsored by Nelson’s Market Place begins at 11 am. Hip N’ Hop maps for the downtown promotion will be available.
• Downtown merchants are holding “Hip N’ Hop Day” from Noon to 2 pm.   The Easter Bunny will be hopping around Central Avenue passing out treats and you are encouraged to complete your map by visiting participating shops. A one-pound chocolate bunny will go to one lucky participant.
• Faribo West Mall hosts the Easter Bunny from 11 to 1 pm with treats and registration for one lucky boy and girl to win a giant Easter basket.

The weather is going to be fantastic,  get out and hop along the Easter trails.   Shop Faribault, Support Local Business!

Shopping Locally

Be aware of the impact of your dollars. Local area businesses assist the community through a “multiplier effect”: one dollar spent at a local business will return five times that amount within the community through city taxes, employees’ wages, and purchase of materials and supplies at other local businesses. In addition, these businesses will turn that dollar back into the community through school funding  and contributions to local non-profit organizations.

We are fortunate to have so many options available to us right here in Faribault. You can grab an espresso to go, pick up locally grown produce or freshly baked bread, shop for unique gifts and clothing or household items, or choose a good book to read. You can get your hair cut,  have your taxes prepared, see the doctor, buy insurance from a local agent, or apply for a mortgage at your friendly community bank or credit union.

Local businesses add to the character that is Faribault, contributing more than just goods and services. They offer personalized attention, add diversity to our shopping options, and bring life to historic buildings.

Support your local businesses and they in turn will support you! Let’s make a commitment in 2009 to review purchases that are currently made out of the area, and see if considering a local vendor would be more appropriate.

Let’s work together to make our community grow!

Jan Roberts,
Faribo Insurance