The University of Louisville and Louisville Independent Business Alliance (LIBA) will take shoppers on a Dec. 4 whirlwind tour of local shops and restaurants on the fifth annual Holiday Cards Buy Local Shopping Tour.
Those on the tour will visit locally owned businesses in several Louisville neighborhoods. The $35 registration fee includes opening and closing receptions, door prizes and transportation to more than a dozen shops on East Market Street (NULU), Fourth Street, Frankfort Avenue, Butchertown and St. Matthews.
“The Holiday Cards shopping trip exposes our faculty, staff, alumni and friends to many of the locally owned shops and restaurants that make Louisville such a special place,” said John Drees, an event organizer. “This event supports the local business community and helps our shoppers find unique items available only at these stores.”
Activities begin with festive drinks and a light breakfast at the University Club on Belknap Campus at 8 a.m. Participants board a bus at 9 a.m. to begin their day of shopping and return to the club for a 4 p.m.-6 p.m. reception featuring mixology demonstrations and samples, hot hors d’oeuvres and door prizes. A more detailed itinerary will be posted closer to the event at events.louisville.edu/event/holiday_cards_buy_local_shopping_tour.
The tour is open to the public, but bus seating is limited and UofL faculty, staff, students and alumni will receive priority. Participants must register online at uoflalumni.org/holidaycards15.
Shoppers will also have a chance to enter LIBA’s “Buy Local Win $1k: hoLOUdays Contest” by submitting receipts from five LIBA stores for a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree at LIBA businesses.
LIBA seeks to preserve the unique character of Louisville Metro by promoting local businesses and educating citizens on the value of buying locally. For more information on LIBA and a member list, see www.keeplouisvilleweird.com.
