Buy Close by Kitsap

In 2020, Kathy Cocus and Theresa Mangrum launched the Shop. Eat. Spend. Kitsap Facebook Group to support local businesses during for holiday shopping during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic. From October through December 2020, they shared posts about gift ideas and Facebook lives from Kitsap-based businesses.

In 2021, what was only a Facebook Group of 300 grew into a member-base of 1,000+, Instagram account, website, gift guide, and a full-fledged effort to support our local businesses and neighbors with amplified marketing. We witnessed more in-person shopping in our beautiful community.

This year, we are focused on buying close by where we live, whether that’s Bremerton or Poulsbo. When we buy close by Kitsap we support the entire community because for each $100 spent at a locally-owned business $48 goes back into the community.

How we will do support local:

• Between October 1st and November 4th, local marketing experts are hosting Open Office hours to provide 15-minutes of free professional advice in support of business owners’ marketing efforts. Make sure you’re following us on Facebook and Instagram to see the announcement.

• Holiday gift guide - Make sure you submit your products by November 16th

• Access to a free Holiday Planning content calendar

• Holiday shopping totes and window clings - Customers that shop with the “Buy Close by Kitsap” tote will receive special discounts. Keep an eye out for the official “Buy Close by Kitsap” stickers on the business’s window.

And that’s just the beginning. There will be more fun and engaging ways for the community to support Kitsap-owned businesses and vice versa!

Make sure you subscribe to the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance newsletter to stay up to date with this year’s intentional think, buy, and support local campaign.