Shop local, shop independents, coalition urges

This week has been declared Independents Week by a group of Arizona business owners, and they're encouraging consumers to shop local.

Local First Arizona was created in 2003 to encourage the support of local businesses, and has grown to more than 1,300 businesses, including restaurants, furniture stores, artists, coffee roasters, piano teachers, hobby shops and flooring installers.

"I would argue that part of connecting to a city and feeling like it's your home is tapping into local businesses," said Kimber Lanning, one of the founders of Local First Arizona. "I'm trying to create a database where people can go and hook onto local culture."

She said shopping local also has economic and environmental benefits, from putting more money back into the local economy to saving gas.

A complete Web directory of participants can be found at www.localfirstaz.com. Four independent Chandler businesses to try:

Global Bikes

Mark Funicello, co-owner of Global Bikes Chandler, says his shop competes with large chain stores through offering knowledge, service and some higher-quality products.

"Though our prices might be a little higher, even our inexpensive, entry-level bikes are higher quality than those from the big-box stores," Funicello said.

The store also carries many parts that the big boxes don't.

The staff at Global Bikes Chandler has expertise in repairing and maintaining bikes.

Most bike-shop employees are passionate about cycling, whether it is BMX, road, mountain biking or bike commuting, he said.

"We can help people find the bike that best suits their needs and help motivate them to get out there and ride," Funicello said.

He was a friend and customer of Alan Lepak, who opened Gilbert Global Bikes about eight years ago. When Lepak opened Global Bikes Chandler in February 2006, Funicello became co-owner. The store is on the southeastern corner of Arizona Avenue and Pecos Road in the Wal-Mart shopping center.

The store began by selling less expensive, neighborhood bikes in the range of $200 to $400, but demand grew for higher-end bikes.

The company now sells from a range of a $130 children's bike to an $8,500 road bike. The store also sells adult tricycles for those with limited mobility.

The shop offers free tune-ups for life on all bicycles it sells.

To learn more: 480-782-8342.

McNight Guitar Co.

If you sell someone a guitar, you might not ever see that person again. But if you teach that person to play the guitar, you could have a customer for life.

That's how independent music stores, such as the McKnight Guitar Co. on the northeastern corner of Dobson Road and Chandler Boulevard, can compete with national chains. Owners Phil and Shauna McKnight not only sell guitars, basses and amplifiers, but also offer lessons and repair service.

"For the chains, anything that takes too long, like lessons or repairs, is not profitable," Phil McKnight said. "So we're not trying to compete with the big chains, we're trying to niche them out."

Part of the McKnights' commitment to service includes trying to create a sense of community at the store, which opened in 2005. They know many of their customers by name, and put a photograph of everyone who purchases a guitar at the store on the hallway wall.

The 30,000-square-foot space also offers an impressive selection of guitars and amplifiers, some of which you won't be able to find at chain stores.

"I may not have 10 American (Fender Stratocasters) in the store, but I have a lot of guitars they don't have," Shauna McKnight said. "If red is the color that's selling, they'll just order red ones and maybe one other color. We have a variety of colors and styles. One thing about musicians is they like to be unique. Who else has a hot-pink miniguitar for little girls? That's what sets us apart."

To learn more: 480-782-9600.

Pesto's Pizza & Wine Bar

Pesto's Pizza & Wine Bar is a one-of-a-kind place that serves traditional New York pizza. But owner Frank Taurisano Jr. spent three years working for one of the biggest Hollywood caterers, so his menu has a California influence.

The menu is "a blend between our Italian heritage, our New York roots and our three-year stint in California," Taurisano said.

The restaurant, open for 14 years, is at 1960 W. Ray Road, just east of Dobson Road.

One of his best sellers is the Mediterranean pizza, which features grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and spinach.

Another popular one is pesto pizza; the family makes its own pesto.

Taurisano is a third-generation restaurateur; his family owned Lenny's Clam Bar in Smithtown, Long Island.

The Chandler business employs Taurisano's wife, Debbie; their three children and his dad, Frank Sr.

The business began as a pizza takeout but evolved into a full-service restaurant including catering. Three years ago, the owners added a bar, which offers more than 200 wines, more than 100 vodkas and 50 tequilas.

There is live music, including two guitarists who play light rock on Wednesdays and a jazz band, the John Knowlton Trio, on Saturdays

"It's a very unique kind of an emporium," Taurisano said.

"It's taken a while to really get established, but we have a very loyal following among people who are discriminating," he said.

To learn more: 480-821-2949.

Video Paradise

Video Paradise can be paradise for fans of hard-to-find movies.

That's how the family-owned, independent video store, which has been on the northwestern corner of Warner and Alma School roads since 1992 sets itself apart from the large chain stores or even mail order DVD rental outfits.

"We give that touch that the (corporate-owned stores) cannot give," said Bethann Nedeau, one of the store's managers. "We have more independent movies, one-on-one service and knowledge. Whereas the corporates can hire 16-year-olds just in it for a paycheck - and I'm not saying everybody is like that - We put a little more into our interviewing to make sure the service is top notch."

Video Paradise has a huge selection of movies. Titles range from family friendly children's movies to adult selections. There are also a large number of video games on site.

The store carries between 350 and 400 of the high-definition Blu Ray DVDs, and if a customer can't find what they're looking for, the store will order it. That's true for rentals or purchases.

"For special orders, we charge the suggested retail price, we don't charge extra," Nedeau said. "And if you want to see something (for rental), we bring it in at no cost to you. That's how we increase our library."

Nedeau said video stores can survive the competition from online rental services such as Netflix by giving customers a level of service they can't get from a computer.

"There will always be some people who would prefer to rent movies online, but some people still want human contact," Nedeau said.

To learn more: 480-345-0102.

Top left: Pesto Pizza.Top right:Mark Funicello, Global Bikes. Bottom left: McKnight Guitar Company. Bottom right: Video Paradise