About Us

Shop Charlottesville is sponsored by the City of Charlottesville in partnership with city-based merchants and business owners. Support your City and business community and Shop Charlottesville.

Why should you “Buy Local?”

To help your community, increase jobs, save the environment, and that’s not all!

A strong local economy and high quality of life within the City of Charlottesville are largely dependent upon the community’s preference to do their shopping locally. The goal of the Shop Charlottesville campaign is to encourage residents to shop in the City of Charlottesville, where 100 percent of the City-derived sales tax supports services to Charlottesville residents and businesses.

Seven Reasons to Shop Charlottesville:

1. It keeps dollars in our economy

The dollars you spend in Charlottesville also help to support Charlottesville businesses that, in turn, employ people who then spend their wages in our community. This creates a strong ripple effect that sustains our economy.

2. It creates local jobs

Local businesses create jobs for our neighbors. A variety of job opportunities are an important component of a healthy community.

3. It helps fund local government

1% of all taxable sales go directly to the City budget accounting for over $10 million annually or 8% of the total operating budget. Also, spending in Charlottesville instead of online ensures that your sales taxes are reinvested where they belong — right here in your community.

4. It supports area non-profits

Area businesses support the many local non-profits that make our community better.

5. It helps the environment

Buying locally conserves energy and resources in the form of less fuel for transportation, less packaging, and products that you know are reliable, because our neighbors stand behind them.

6. It invests in entrepreneurship

Creativity and entrepreneurship are what the American economy is founded upon. Nurturing local business helps ensure a strong community.

7. It makes us a destination

The more interesting and unique we are as a community, the more we attract tourists, shoppers and others who want to Shop Charlottesville. This benefits everyone!

Want to Learn More?

For information on the City of Charlottesville's involvement, contact:

For business listing information, visit the Advertising page, or contact: