StayLocal Press and News
A few articles from newspapers, magazines, and journals on the state of local businesses in New Orleans and across the nation.
Buy Now Give Later | Great Day Louisiana Celebrates Christmas in July
Did you catch us on Great Day Louisiana? Malik Mingo invited us by to spread holiday cheer. We shared details about buying from local shops now, to give later. For more information head to detailed listings here.
Spotlighting the best local gifts to give is part of StayLocal’s summer campaign to celebrate independent businesses when lines are short and restaurant seats are open during the summer slowdown. #IndependentsMonth
Operators of Local Kitchens Carry Out Food Waste Reduction Lessons from StayLocal’s Sustainability Training
Commercial kitchens at Morial Convention Center, Tulane University, and Dickie Brennan’s Acorn Cafe have all implemented repurposing and tracking in different ways in order to reach waste reduction goals that keep methane gas-causing food waste out of landfills. Read the full article on nola.com here.
Biz New Orleans Episode 227: Love Letters to Local Businesses Launches Today
Maryann Miller shares all the details about the Love Letters to Local Businesses campaign, which had its 2025 kickoff event on Feb 11.
Listen to Biz Talks here.
New Orleans Businesses Host Small Business Saturday
Nov 1, 2023
Small Businesses Experiencing Post-Pandemic Boom Despite Tough Economy
Feb 16, 2023
StayLocal got a mention in a Fox Business story about the success of small businesses following the pandemic.
"When we're choosing local, we're reinvesting in our local community," said StayLocal Program Manager Maryann Miller. "The figures show that just even two and three times recirculating those dollars locally really strengthens an economy."
Read the full article: Small businesses experiencing post-pandemic boom despite tough economy
The Art of Gifting Local
Need some ideas for shopping local? Buying handmade and one of a kind items is becoming more popular at the holidays. Listen to this podcast as Jeanne Nathan and Maryann Miller discuss finding neighborhood based businesses to shop for gifts. Via Soundcloud here.
Report: N.O. Business Owners Cautiously Optimistic Despite Challenges
August 23, 2022
Earlier this year, StayLocal held a 2-hour focus group with a selection of New Orleans business owners with restaurant, retail, and service-oriented businesses. StayLocal then published the results in the 2022 StayLocal Focus Group Report.
The report is a collection of the business owners' pain points and hopes for the future that explores diverse topics related to the impact of disasters, from the impacts on business operations to the impacts on the mental health of the business owners.
StayLocal’s findings revealed that business owners are in need of an effective communication system to share pertinent information in the midst of hurricanes and other disasters.
In response to these findings, StayLocal has improved our own communication with business owners so we are better prepared to connect their goods and services to sheltering citizens should the need arise.
Read the full press release at Biz New Orleans.
$5.5M Groundbreaking on MLK Jr. Blvd. Update
Aug 16, 2022
In a press release today, Mayor Cantrell addressed the ongoing Patch Mill Overlay project on MLK Jr. Blvd, the scope of which includes repaving the road, repairing sidewalks, adding curb ramps and high-visibility crosswalks, and installing protected bike lanes.
Cantrell offered praise for the businesses being affected by the MLK Jr. Blvd. revamping, assuring them that the future benefits would outweigh the present inconveniences.
StayLocal’s Maryann Miller was quoted in the press release:
“Helping businesses continue to operate smoothly during planned interruptions, like the resurfacing, safety and transportation improvements on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard., is one way to keep our local businesses here, providing services and products that keep local dollars recirculating through New Orleans’ economy. StayLocal is excited that this resurfacing project will increase access for people who walk, ride a bike, take the bus or drive their cars to these Central City businesses, and to the rest of the city – inviting residents and visitors to return to dine and shop here again and again.”
Read this news about this city’s commitment to mobility and safety here.
Local Shopping for Your Fallidays
StayLocal’s Maryann Miller was featured in the September 2021 issue of New Orleans magazine. The Shop Local article begins on page 30, and you can find Maryann’s quote on page 31.
The Importance of Supporting Local — For holiday season 2020, there’s an upswell in the number of consumers helping businesses suffering from pandemic setbacks to gain ground. Listen to StayLocal’s Maryann Miller as she talks with Rich Collins.
Locals Supporting Locals — Are you a small business looking for help? StayLocal is an invaluable resource. By Keith Twitchell
The Jefferson Parish Chamber of Commerce launched Spend Local JP in 2020. The campaign offered expert advice from Jefferson Parish business owners on how to maximize online marketing efforts. Jefferson Parish businesses are encouraged to utilize the hashtag #SpendLocalJP.