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Eat (Buy, Shop, & Think) Local For National Independents Week

Eat (Buy, Shop, & Think) Local For National Independents Week

Jun 24, 20153 min read

Local First Arizona is celebrating the state’s locally-owned and independent businesses with National Independents Week, a week of events, discounts, and prizes.

From June 27 through July 5, Indie Week will educate consumers on the importance of supporting local businesses in our communities. According to Kimber Lanning, Director of Local First Arizona, four times more money stays in our local economy when consumers patronize an independent business instead of a chain.

“Arizona’s independent business community is the backbone of our local economy and the driving force behind what makes us proud to call Arizona home,” says Lanning. “Independents Week is our way of bringing attention to the important role independent businesses play in our daily lives.”

The campaign is part of the nationwide Independents Week, coordinated by the American Independent Business Alliance.

There are a number of ways you can show your support and be entered to win a “Staycation” package at the Clarendon Hotel in Phoenix or Hotel Congress in Tucson.

See the full list of participating businesses here.

Take the ‘Buy Local’ Pledge

Arizonans are encouraged to take the pledge to ‘Buy Local’ during Indie Week. Everyone who takes the pledge will be entered in a raffle to win the Phoenix staycation package, which includes a one-night stay at the Clarendon Hotel, a $100 gift card to the Vig and admission for two to the Phoenix Art Museum.

20% Off Golden Coupon

The popular Golden Coupon, printed by Think! Graphic and Printing Solutions, gets you 20% off at hundreds of locally-owned establishments. On top of a variety of restaurants, it includes auto repairs, home furnishing stores, boutiques, florists, yoga studios, nurseries, and more.

The Golden Coupon is not as elusive as it may sound. All you have to do is print out the Golden Coupon from localfirstaz.com or download the coupon on your smartphone.

Passport to Local Success

The free Passport to Local Success gives you the opportunity to tour 20 of Southern Arizona’s independent businesses, including Proper, Black Crown Coffee, and Sentinel Peak Brewing Company.

Get at least five stamps from passport businesses and you’ll be entered to win gift certificates for local restaurants, breweries, and the VIP Summer Staycation package from Hotel Congress. Package includes a one night stay at Hotel Congress for two, tickets to that night’s show at Club Congress and breakfast at The Cup Café.

Download your passport from localfirstaz.com on June 27th or pick one up at any of the passport stops. Completed passports can be dropped off at any of the 20 passport stops, mailed in or turned in at the Local First AZ table at Food on the Streets, Lights in the Sky.

Food on the Streets, Lights in the Sky

Celebrate the Fourth of July with Local First AZ at Mercado San Agustin. Beginning at 6pm, enjoy food trucks and live music from the Cochise County All-Stars.

The bar at Agustin Kitchen will be serving this year’s special Indie Week Ale from Borderlands Brewery – a Grapefruit Hefeweizen brewed with the juice and zest of locally-grown White Marsh Grapefruits.

For more information, visit localfirstaz.com.

Article written by:

Theresa Delaney

Theresa Delaney

More about Theresa
Theresa is a copywriter, food explorer and pursuer of all things creative. Find her at theresadelaney.com.

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@Casaveratucson opens Aug. 12 at 7265 N. La Cholla Blvd., bringing regional Mexican cuisine to the former Tamarind space.

The 7,000-square-foot restaurant seats 200 guests with a large patio, and the design draws inspiration from a warm, old-world hacienda. The family behind Casa Vera is also known locally for Guadalajara Original Grill.

The menu highlights flavors and techniques from across Mexico, with tableside salsa service, shareable starters like the Hacienda Board and Scallop Mini Tostadas, plus entrées including Lobster Tetelas and Hojaldrado, a beef picadillo-stuffed poblano inspired by chile en nogada.

Casa Vera will be open daily from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Reservations are available through @opentable or by emailing reservations@casaveratucson.com.

More in @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com
Photo courtesy of @casaveratucson 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonnews #tucson@Casaveratucson opens Aug. 12 at 7265 N. La Cholla Blvd., bringing regional Mexican cuisine to the former Tamarind space. The 7,000-square-foot restaurant seats 200 guests with a large patio, and the design draws inspiration from a warm, old-world hacienda. The family behind Casa Vera is also known locally for Guadalajara Original Grill. The menu highlights flavors and techniques from across Mexico, with tableside salsa service, shareable starters like the Hacienda Board and Scallop Mini Tostadas, plus entrées including Lobster Tetelas and Hojaldrado, a beef picadillo-stuffed poblano inspired by chile en nogada. Casa Vera will be open daily from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Reservations are available through @opentable or by emailing reservations@casaveratucson.com. More in @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photo courtesy of @casaveratucson #tucsonfoodie #tucsonnews #tucson
NEW: @tokyosushitucson opens this Saturday🎉🍣

Tokyo Sushi has taken over the former Izumi space on Speedway, serving up an all-you-can-eat experience with an extensive selection of classic and specialty sushi rolls. The restaurant also features a build-your-own ramen bar, fresh salad bar, dessert bar, and ice cream station.

3655 E Speedway Blvd.
Grand opening: Saturday, August 8 at 11 a.m.

#tucsonazNEW: @tokyosushitucson opens this Saturday🎉🍣 Tokyo Sushi has taken over the former Izumi space on Speedway, serving up an all-you-can-eat experience with an extensive selection of classic and specialty sushi rolls. The restaurant also features a build-your-own ramen bar, fresh salad bar, dessert bar, and ice cream station. 3655 E Speedway Blvd. Grand opening: Saturday, August 8 at 11 a.m. #tucsonaz
Sonoran Restaurant Week is back for its 8th year!🎉

From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus, giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. 

‼️❤️Restaurant owners: Applications are now open and close August 14. There is no cost to participate, and you’ll be included in Tucson Foodie’s biggest marketing campaign of the year, featuring print, online, social, radio, TV, menu previews, chef interviews, and more.

You don’t need your Restaurant Week menu ready to apply. Just submit one application per restaurant brand, even if you have multiple locations. 

Apply at the link in our bio or visit tucsonfoodie.com/srw/apply. 

#sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizonaSonoran Restaurant Week is back for its 8th year!🎉 From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus, giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. ‼️❤️Restaurant owners: Applications are now open and close August 14. There is no cost to participate, and you’ll be included in Tucson Foodie’s biggest marketing campaign of the year, featuring print, online, social, radio, TV, menu previews, chef interviews, and more. You don’t need your Restaurant Week menu ready to apply. Just submit one application per restaurant brand, even if you have multiple locations. Apply at the link in our bio or visit tucsonfoodie.com/srw/apply. #sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 #tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizona
IT’S THE FINAL WEEK OF 12 WEEKS OF FOODIE SUMMER! 🎉

Sonoran Week runs through August 9! Visit any locally owned Tucson spot that fits this week’s theme, save your receipt, and upload it at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win this week’s prizes.

🏆THIS WEEK’S PRIZES: 
Win: Tickets to Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge, (2) $100 Visa gift cards, $20 gift card to Ghini’s, 4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, (1) gift card to Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar, (1) $50 gift card to Charro Concepts, (1) $50 gift card to BATA, (1) $50 gift card to Sonoran Moonshine

ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS.

Stay tuned for @Sonoranrestaurantweek! Let’s support local ❤️

#tucsonfoodie #tucsonazIT’S THE FINAL WEEK OF 12 WEEKS OF FOODIE SUMMER! 🎉 Sonoran Week runs through August 9! Visit any locally owned Tucson spot that fits this week’s theme, save your receipt, and upload it at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win this week’s prizes. 🏆THIS WEEK’S PRIZES: Win: Tickets to Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge, (2) $100 Visa gift cards, $20 gift card to Ghini’s, 4-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, (1) gift card to Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar, (1) $50 gift card to Charro Concepts, (1) $50 gift card to BATA, (1) $50 gift card to Sonoran Moonshine ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. Stay tuned for @Sonoranrestaurantweek! Let’s support local ❤️ #tucsonfoodie #tucsonaz