A thriving business community does not happen by accident. It happens when businesses, community organizations, and residents choose to invest in one another. That's the driving force behind our Shop Local initiative.
More than a marketing campaign, Shop Local is a year-round economic development effort designed to strengthen Chamber member businesses by encouraging residents and visitors to discover, support, and spend with local businesses. Through collaborative campaigns, community partnerships, and experiences like the Mythology Passport Program, the Chamber is creating more opportunities for businesses to increase visibility, attract new customers, and keep more spending circulating within Routt County.
Why Shop Local Matters
Local businesses do far more than provide products and services. They create jobs, support nonprofits, sponsor community events, and help shape the character of Routt County.
When you spend at local retailers, approximately $70 of every $100 spent will be reinvested in our community. These dollars create a ripple effect that benefits other businesses, employees, and community organizations.
Our goal isn't simply to increase foot traffic to individual businesses. It's to create a stronger business ecosystem where businesses support one another, collaborate on new ideas, and collectively contribute to a healthy year-round economy.
Launching Shop Local Through Collaboration
The Mythology Passport Program is one example of what happens when local businesses work together.
This summer, the Chamber is supporting Mythology Distillery in its effort to create a discovery-driven experience that encourages participants to visit local restaurants, breweries, retailers, and specialty businesses throughout Routt County. Rather than competing for attention, participating businesses become ambassadors for one another by encouraging guests to continue exploring the community.
For Mythology owner Scott Yeates, that's exactly what makes the program successful.
"The Passport Program brings together nearly all of Steamboat's best restaurants and bars to create a fun program for sharing everyone's local offerings. We see many businesses recommending customers visit other locations, which supports their neighbors and friends. It's pretty amazing and shows the local support we all have for one another."
For participants, the Passport becomes a roadmap to discovering businesses they may never have visited otherwise. For businesses, it's an opportunity to reach new customers through collaboration instead of competition.
"Every business in Steamboat offers something unique," Yeates says. "Behind each business are locals with passion. These businesses need to be shared with visitors, but also with locals who haven't ventured somewhere new yet."
Investing Back Into the Community
The Shop Local initiative is made possible through businesses that believe investing in the community benefits everyone. As the presenting sponsor of Shop Local, iFurnish shares the Chamber's vision of building a stronger local economy through partnership.
"Having raised our family in a small mountain town and now operating stores in three small mountain communities, we know how much local support matters," says owner Tony Pestello. "We're humbled to be in a position to give back and help the people and organizations that make these communities such wonderful places to live, work, and raise a family."
For iFurnish, sponsorship is about much more than brand visibility. He believes the success of one business strengthens opportunities for others.
"No business succeeds in isolation. We all rely on each other. When local businesses support one another, it creates a stronger local economy, better opportunities for employees, and a more vibrant Yampa Valley community for everyone."
That philosophy mirrors the Chamber's approach to membership.
We believe businesses grow faster when they have opportunities to connect, collaborate, and support one another.
Stronger Together
The Chamber represents more than 600 businesses across Northwestern Colorado, each contributing something unique to our economy.
Programs like Shop Local, the Mythology Passport Program, Business Education Series, networking events, Chamber Gift Cards, and member marketing opportunities all share the same purpose: creating meaningful connections that help businesses succeed.
Shop Local not only is asking people to spend locally but creating opportunities for local businesses to grow together.
When businesses collaborate, customers discover more. When customers discover more, local spending increases. And when local spending increases, the entire Yampa Valley benefits.
