StayLocal is Greater New Orleans’ independent business alliance. We create an environment for local businesses to thrive through research, education, and advocacy.

Celebrate the Season!

With the holidays around the corner, it’s time to decide where to spend your gift-giving dollars and stock up for family gatherings.

Whether you’re hunting for a special ornament, a cozy meal, or everyday essentials, your choices matter.

Supporting local businesses isn’t just a feel-good gesture—it’s a powerful way to boost your community. Since its inception in 2010, Small Business Saturday—falling on the Saturday after Thanksgiving—has been a game-changer, uniting small business owners with local shoppers to jumpstart the holiday season. Last year alone, American Express reported a staggering $17 billion spent at independent retailers and restaurants on this day.

This year, Small Business Saturday is set for November 30th, making it the perfect opportunity to kick off your holiday shopping while supporting local shops. Remember that when you choose to Shop Local:

Revenue Recirculates at Twice the Rate;

Dollars Spent Generate Twice the Annual Sales;

Money Spent has Four Times the Economic Impact

when compared to spending those same dollars at leading chain competitors.

See our ides for where to shop or celebrate with your family, friends, and community this holiday season here.

Find Eco-Friendly Businesses

New Orleans is home to a vibrant community of entrepreneurs who drive innovation—from green infrastructure companies to biodegradable products, our local businesses not only meet market demands but also champion sustainability.

StayLocal is shining a spotlight on those independent businesses repurposing material, reducing food waste in commercial kitchens, composting, reducing plastic waste and shrinking carbon footprints.

Graduates of our first cohort of the Business Sustainability Accelerator led by GREEN Hospitality Director Lucia Loposova include Petite Rouge Cafe, Southern Food and Beverage Museum, Acorn Cafe, Codey’s NOLA, Cafe Aquarius, Morial Convention Center, Tulane Hospitality, Docville Farm, Rebouche’s Cafe, Agave Mexican Restaurant, Chalmette High School, the Delgado Community College and Nunez Community College culinary programs, and Urban Fork Corporation. The culinary leaders considered the environmental, social, and economic impacts of food waste in commercial kitchens during a six-hour training.

You can find more local, eco-friendly businesses in Greater New Orleans at staylocal.org/find.

Stay Connected By Text

StayLocal has developed the B.Alert disaster response communication tool, a service for local business owners as a way to improve resource-sharing during hurricane threats and recovery.

The two-way texting system will enable business owners to receive and share important information about revised hours of operation or location, goods and services they can provide to sheltering citizens, and avenues for business owners to collaborate to improve reopening times and share resources in other ways.

Depending on your phone service carrier, message and data rates may apply. We operate the messaging system on Twilio, a superior cloud-based communications management tool.

Hurricane season is the time to share this info with other business owners you know! Share this link with business owners and we'll welcome them via email when they sign up.