Keepin’ it Local All Year Round!

Happy 2012 Plaza friends! 2011 was an awesome year for the District especially for our friends at Keep it Local, but they need your help to continue their growth!

Many of you have seen the little plastic “Keep it Local” cards being used at places like Cuppies and Joe, Iguana Mexican Grill, Collected Thread, Iron Starr Urban BBQ and so many more. Here’s a little scoop on how itworks and whyyou should start keepin’ it local!

I had the pleasure of meeting the brains behindthe operation, Keep it Local co-founder, Bryce Bandy. Bryce, along with his businesspartner Chris Branson launched the Keep it Local OK idea in early 2010 to promote growth within Oklahoma City and bring attention to all the amazing creative minds we have right here! SInce it’s birth, the small business has grown to gain national attention.

The vision of Keep it Local is to encourage consumers to shop, eat at local, independent businesses to keep our economy strong and productive. Bryce and Chris saw the idea of promoting local businesses in cities such as, Austin, Texas and wanted to bring the same concept to Oklahoma City.

Keep it Local has over 130 local businesses that have partnered with them which include stores in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore, Norman and Midwest City. “We give people the tools and incentives to shop local”, says Bryce.

A one time purchase of $10.00 in turn will save you hundreds of dollars by using your card at all your favorite OKC hot spots. You can purchase a Keep it Local card at Elemental Coffee Co, Blue 7, and several other locations.

The 2012 card was designed by local artist Mauricio Cremer. This year Keep it Local is launching some new tools to make shopping even easier! A free iPhone app is now available which was built by local developer Steve Baranski of Komorka Technology. And early next month a gift registry to register for all your gift needs such as birthday, house warming, graduation, wedding, baby etc.. will also be available to let all your friends and family know which local store they can find your perfect gift.

For more information about Keep it Local you can visit their website, new site designed by local web mastermind James Harber of Studio FJ.

Be sure to follow them on Twitter @keepitlocalok and like them on Facebook!

Stay Fit and Eat Great Food at Saints!

Now that the holidays are over, the pressure is on to keep resolutions of exercise and healthy eating. Saints’ Irish Pub right here in the heart of the Plaza, not only offers a great selection of craft beer, wine and liquor, but they are also fully supplied with delicious menu items!

Saints’ executive chef, Eric James Brown, cooked up some awesome entrees which are  not only delicious, but nutritious as well! Eric has been professionally cooking for nearly a decade, but has enjoyed doing so most of his life.

Our first item is the Smoked Salmon Salad. This house smoked Applewood salmon is served on a bed of spring mixed greens, with red bell peppers, candied walnuts and a ginger citrus vinaigrette.

Next we have the Veggie BLT. Though the name is deceiving, you won’t find a trace of pork in this delectable appetizer. It consists of Applewood smoked mushrooms placed on top of a roasted garlic spread, topped with tomatoes, basil chiffonade served on toast points.

And as a main course the Meat and Veg. With the meat and veg you get 6oz of juicy beef tenderloin, along side a carrot, parsnip puree, served with roasted seasonal vegetables.

Stop in Saints’ today to try one of Chef Eric’s delicious bites and be sure to ask you server for a great beer pairing!

First LIVE on the Plaza of 2012!

Be sure to not miss our very first LIVE on the Plaza of the year! This Friday, January 13 from 7-11pm, though it may be chilly outside, the Plaza will have plenty of exciting things going on.

The grand opening of “The Parish” will warm you up with a free expresso bar via Elemental Coffee Co and warm your heart with live music from Barling, John Parker Milsap, Gabriel Hancock, and Melissa May.

Come show off your pipes down at Paula & Company Realty as they host and 80s karaoke night with chances to win tickets to Lyric Theatre’s new performance, Xanadu!

The Society will be putting on a Life Drawing study and sketch session from 6-9pm, $20 to participate.

Plus live music, and plenty of featured local artists all over the District!

Don’t miss out, see you Friday!

*All photos taken by Maria Atkinson of mariadru photography.