Arkansas Arts Academy -

Arkansas Arts Academy Says Shop Early, Shop Local
School Promotes Downtown Rogers Businesses and the Creative Economy
 
Rogers, AR—The Arkansas Arts Academy (AAA) Parent Teacher Group has launched the “Shop Early, Shop Local” campaign, an initiative to get local families to shop in Downtown Rogers. The organization has partnered with 15 shops and restaurants to encourage AAA parents, students and the general public to shop and dine in the downtown community Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21. Customers should let each merchant know upon check-out that they are “shopping local with AAA.” When they do so, 10% of their purchase will be donated to arts programming at Arkansas Arts Academy High School.
 
“Arkansas Arts Academy High School takes pride in being part of the Downtown Rogers community,” commented Amber Carson, President of the AAA Parent Teacher Group. “We are committed to teaching our young artists about how the arts impact the local economy and vice versa. Our students are frequently invited to exhibit performing and visual arts in downtown venues, in turn, our students and their families are encouraged to frequent downtown businesses,” she continued. “We see this partnership as a way to continue to support the businesses that support our school.”
 
The AAA Parent Teacher Group hopes the “Shop Early, Shop Local” initiative will send a clear message of solidarity. In addition to the satisfaction of supporting locally-owned businesses, Carson indicated patrons will be treated to festive holiday touches including live music performances by AAA students. “Together, our community and the arts will survive this pandemic. Weather permitting, we will have some music students performing outside of participating stores for tips. We want to add a safe and festive element to the shopping experience,” Carson added. 
 
The Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce applauds the initiative the school is taking to support Downtown Rogers businesses while adding to the creative economy—it parallels with the Chamber’s #ShopNWA—Support Local campaign running through December. “The Arkansas Arts Academy is to be commended for their ongoing support of downtown Rogers and for bringing performing and visual arts to our business community,” commented Karen Wagaman, Vice President of Downtown Development with the Chamber of Commerce. “They understand shopping locally brings significantly more money to the community by providing tax revenue that fixes roads, pays for parks, supports schools, retains jobs, and so much more,” she continued. “When small businesses thrive, they are able to support local charities, sponsor your child’s sports team, donate to non-profits and invest back into their businesses, employees, and the community.”
 
15 Downtown Rogers businesses are participating in the November 20 and 21 promotion that supports the Arkansas Arts Academy, they include:
American Estates
The Frame Shoppe
The Gathering in Rogers
Anime Café
B. Styled 
Fresh Harvest Tasting Room
The Rusty Chair
Honeycomb Kitchen Shop
Dandy Roll
Mollie Love
Woof and Wonder
Levi's Gastrolounge & Low Bar
Urban Bath & Body Company
The Dotted Pig
Hapa’s Hawaiian Bar & Grill
 
 
About Arkansas Arts Academy
Located in Rogers, Arkansas, Arkansas Arts Academy is an open- enrollment public charter school offering fine arts education to K–12 students.  Arkansas Arts Academy is on the path to becoming one of the most respected public arts schools in the country. Their dual mission is to provide professional, conservatory style arts education and college preparatory academic education. They serve a diverse body of students from across Northwest Arkansas Regardless of income or experience.
About #ShopNWA – Support Local Campaign Northwest Arkansas is a must-visit shopping destination. From shopping malls, department stores, boutiques, and one-of-a-kind antique shops, you are sure to find everything you need. The Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, Visit Rogers, and Downtown Rogers Inc. encourage you to #ShopNWA this November and December. According to a study, over two-thirds of the money spent at locally owned businesses stays in the community and other studies have shown that local businesses donate at a higher rate to local causes and nonprofits. Local businesses create jobs in our community. Locally owned businesses carry a wider array of unique products because they buy for the unique needs of their community.
 
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Sincerely,
 
Karen Wagaman Vice President of Downtown Development
Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce 317 West Walnut Rogers, AR 72756
Office: 4797-636-1240 Direct: 479-619-3195
Mobile: 785-969-1332
 
karen@rogerslowell.com
www.RogersLowell.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenwagaman/