Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell has signed a proclamation declaring March 19 Buy 319 Local Day in Cedar Rapids! Buy 319 Local Day celebrates local businesses that make our community special and serves as a reminder that by choosing to spend locally, you, your business, and your dollars make real impact within our community.
On March 19, we invite you to shop, dine and spend locally. Whether it’s coffee, dinner, a retail purchase, or a service appointment, every local purchase matters. Share a photo of how you sped locally on Buy 319 Local Day with #Buy319.
Give Local. Spend Local.
Buy319 Gift Cards make it easy to support businesses across the Cedar Rapids region. With one card, recipients can shop, dine, and experience a wide range of participating local businesses, from restaurants and retail shops to services and entertainment.
It is a simple gift that works for birthdays, holidays, employee recognition, client appreciation, or just because. And every time it is used, those dollars stay closer to home, supporting local businesses and strengthening our community. Give a gift that keeps giving back and purchase a Buy319 Gift Card today.
Join the Buy319 local movement. All businesses are encouraged to sign the pledge to commit to switching to a local 319 vendor. Once the pledge is submitted, your businesses name will appear on our 2026 pledge list, showcasing your commitment to the campaign and support for local businesses. Once you have pledged, access the membership directory and search for the product or services your personal business needs to continue to be the best local advocate it can be.
“Face to face business relationships are rewarding as well as profitable for both parties. We get referrals from our vendors and we give them right back. It shows we all care about our communities. We have a Community Impact committee which is constantly involved in the effort to support local events and charities. We do this with either employee-owners’ time or financial support to reach the needs in the community.”
Kristi Kothenbeutel, Van Meter Inc.
“Building relationships with local companies has benefited us and spreading the awareness of our brand, spreading awareness of our corporate events and festivals, and at the end of the day, we all win.”
Sammy Petersen, Bloomsbury Farm
“The more that we can keep here and put back into our economy will give us a much better chance for our community to grow.”
Eric VanKerckhov, Allegra
“The easiest way to kickstart a ‘buy local’ mindset is to review your business and what things might be better served locally.”