- “Keep Louisville Weird” started in 2005 as a way to promote local businesses.
- LIBA encourages consumers to shop locally, because a 10% passage to local businesses would keep $ 416 million in the local economy.
- Liba celebrates its 20th anniversary with a party at Havorners Music Hall on February 21.
“”Keep Louisville Bizarre“It appeared for the first time in 2005 on a display panel on Bardstown Road in the Highland district.
The slogan “Keep Louisville Weird” was adopted from Austin, Texas, where it was used to promote small unique and local businesses. It was John Timmon’s idea of cooperating the slogan of Louisville. At the time, Timmons had X-Tacy earAn emblematic record store in Louisville on Bardstown Road. One year before its closure in 2011, Rolling Stone magazine listed Ear X-Tacy as one of the three best record stores in the country.
This slogan and the idea launched the Louisville Independent Business AllianceAnd 20 years later, the basic effort to raise and unite the owners of companies in Louisville has become one of the largest alliances of independent companies in the country.
LIBA now represents more than 850 independent companies, produced numerous events every year throughout the city, distributes 25,000 local guides, has a board of directors of 13 community leaders and operates with an annual budget of $ 250,000 +.
“The local commercial landscape was very different when Liba was founded 20 years ago,” said Lauren Hendricks, president of the Liba board of directors in a press release. “The iPhone would not even be published for a few more years. However, business owners have found a way to meet to defend local businesses in a way that would resist the constantly evolving challenges and a global pandemic. “”
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Today, LIBA events and marketing, such as bumper stickers “Keep Louisville Weird”, help educate local consumers on the power of expenditure habits and the effects on the local economy, as the way Including the distance from large -area stores to shop in local businesses is preserved locally more dollars. A market change of only 10% to local independent companies means additional $ 416 million in the regional economy, according to LIBA.
To celebrate the success of 20 years of “Keep Louisville Weird”, Liba is organizing a community party on February 21 at the Hidlinders Music Hall, 1386 Lexington Road. “All glowed up” will present live music by Tony and the TanlinesThe more interactive art, light bites, a cash bar and some surprises, to honor two decades of support for local businesses.
Local businesses sporting the event include Quest,, Cleaners Highlands,, Louisville Paving Company,, Louisville Water Company,, Rainbow,, Stock Garden Bank and others.
Tickets cost $ 15 in advance and $ 20 at the door, and can be bought in keeplouisvilleweird.com.
Reach features reporter Kirby Adams to kadams@courier-journal.com.