Take the Austin Unchained challenge! Start with one day and unchain yourself by purchasing only from local retailers. No need to purchase additional items, just purchase what you normally would. If everyone in Austin bought their goods and services at locally owned merchants for just one day, it would not only preserve Austin's local character but it would put $14 million into our local economy! This is based on actual sales tax figures and illustrates the economic impact of shopping locally owned. Just imagine what $14 million a day would do for our local economy!

In response to the landmark 2003 study, Economic Impact Analysis: A Case Study of Local Merchants vs. Chain Retailers, AIBA created Austin Unchained, a day of shopping locally owned, designed to bring attention to the economic and cultural impact of consumers shopping at only locally owned businesses for one day.

The first Austin Unchained event was so successful, it has been duplicated by 20 IBAs and organizations all over the country from Austin to New York under the name of America Unchained . It is interesting to note that the week of Austin Unchained showed a spike in sales tax revenue of 4%, the largest increase in two years.

Austin Unchained is celebrated each year in mid November and throughout the year. Whenever you can, choose to give your business to a locally owned merchant.