Local First Arizona has now released the third edition of the Tempe Small Wonders map, a pocket-sized guide featuring nearly 30 local restaurants, galleries, boutiques, venues and experiences located in Tempe. All of the businesses included in the guide are independently owned and operated.
“We created the Small Wonders map series to help Arizona residents and visitors find the unique local businesses in their neighborhoods,” said Kimber Lanning, director of Local First Arizona.
Some of the businesses featured in the second edition of the Tempe Small Wonders map include newer businesses such as Postino Winecafe, Studio ADT and Ncounter, but also include returning favorites like Changing Hands Bookstore, Four Peaks Brewery and Zia Record Exchange.
“Deciding whether or not to participate in the Small Wonders map was an easy decision,” says Tony Tremonto of Studio ADT. Tremonto says he uses the map to recommend other local businesses to those who stop in his store. “With more and more people wanting to support local businesses, it’s natural for them to ask for my recommendations. Having the Small Wonders map makes it that much easier for me to connect them with other small businesses in the area. I just circle my recommendation and hand them a map. It gets them where they need to go today, and gives them something to keep for future reference.”
Supporters of the Small Wonders map say that connecting residents and visitors to local businesses in Tempe results in a variety of benefits for the community. “Local businesses help to give Downtown Tempe a distinct personality that makes shopping and visiting downtown a unique and special experience,” said Lori Foster, director of Business Relations at Downtown Tempe Authority. “By choosing to shop and dine locally, it’s an investment in the community.”
Local First Arizona has also produced Small Wonders maps for Central Phoenix, Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood, Tucson, the Verde Valley, Gilbert, Glendale, Scottsdale and Mesa. The Tempe Small Wonders map can be viewed digitally at the Local First Arizona website: http://localfirstaz.com/small-wonders/tempe.php. Physical maps can be picked up at a variety of local businesses, hotels, apartments, and events in the Tempe area. Business owners, realtors, property managers, hotels, event organizers, and individuals can request maps for distribution free of charge by contacting Local First Arizona at info@localfirstarizona.com. Fifty thousand copies of the Tempe Small Wonders maps are printed for distribution.
Founded in 2003 by Director Kimber Lanning, Local First Arizona (LFA) is a statewide nonprofit organization working to strengthen communities and local economies through growing, supporting, and celebrating locally owned businesses throughout the state of Arizona. LFA seeks to promote, support, and celebrate a vibrant and sustainable Arizona economy by educating consumers, stakeholders, business leaders, and policymakers about local business ownership, social equity, cultural diversity, environmental kinship, and collaboration. Visit www.localfirstaz.com for more information and a directory of about 2,700 locally owned businesses.
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