LEHIGH VALLEY, Pennsylvania — The national small business movement, Independent We Stand, announced the finalists, including both JU-JU MONKEY of ALLENTOWN and LET’S PLAY BOOKS of EMMAUS, of the seventh annual Independent We Stand Independent Small Business of the Year or “Indie Award.”
View all finalists: http://www.independentwestand.org/indies/home
The top ten finalists in alphabetical order are:
- Abby’s Lane, a baby store in Manassas, Va.
- Allegory Gallery, a bead, art and jewelry store in Ligonier, Pa.
- Carr Hardware, a hardware store in Pittsfield, Mass.
- Cocoa Trail Chocolates, a chocolate shop in Collinsville, Va.
- Hideaway Café, a restaurant in Winchester, Va.
- Ju-Ju Monkey, a parenting store in Allentown, Pa.
- Let’s Play Books, a book store in Emmaus, Pa.
- Mountain Valley Brewery, a hops farm and micro-brewery in Axton, Va.
- Sequoia’s Closet: Little People Boutique, a children’s clothing store in Big Timber, Mont.
- Walkabout Outfitter, an outdoor clothing and supplies retailer in Lexington, Va.
“This year’s quarterfinalists represent the independent businesses from across the country who go above and beyond to support their local economies,” said Bill Brunelle, co-founder of Independent We Stand. “This award is our way of honoring the contributions they’ve made to their communities.”
Independent We Stand is a movement of independent business owners across the country to inform their communities about the importance of “Buying Local” and how these efforts bolster their local economy. This movement supports all local and national causes committed to boosting local economic development projects. The Independent We Stand movement is sponsored by STIHL Inc. www.IndependentWeStand.org
About Ju-Ju Monkey
Ju-Ju Monkey is an incredibly vital part of our community of young families here in the Lehigh Valley. You can feel nothing but warm & welcomed when you visit. The products are unique, there is always something new to see and the staff is simply incredible. The owner makes a point of supporting local moms, and other local businesses. You will never meet a more generous spirit than the owner Sara Moore. It is more than just a store to so many people that I know, it is the purpose of community. Creating a meeting place for familiar faces, getting advice when you need it most and supporting local families. http://ju-jumonkey.com/
About Let’s Play Books
Let’s Play Books in Emmaus is an independent bookstore offering books for all ages, but it is also so much more. It is a community gathering place; home of story hours, book clubs, summer camps, author visits, bookstore cats, and the Hess Family. The Hess Family hasn’t just created a magical place to experience books, they’ve created a network of community connections. They bring together local businesses, schools, and organizations for special events regularly and are always looking for ways to support their community. They actively work to bring authors to the area creating opportunities that otherwise would not exist. They are expanding our local world through books and experiences and we are incredibly lucky to have them. http://www.letsplaybooks.com/
Information provided to TVL by:
Let’s Play Books Bookstore
244 Main St., Emmaus PA 18049
www.letsplaybooks.com
