Applauds Pawtucket Furniture Maker’s New Relationship with Major Regional Retail Chain
PROVIDENCE— Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts, Chair of the Small Business Advocacy Council today applauds the announcement that regional retail chain Cardi’s has entered into an agreement with Modulus Furniture of Pawtucket. Modulus is a small, locally owned and operated manufacturer of modular, upholstered furniture. Cardi’s will begin selling Modulus furniture in their showrooms as early as next month.
"I launched Buy Local RI last year to grow our economy by expanding business opportunities for local independent businesses,” said Lt. Gov. Roberts. “I am extremely pleased that Cardi's and Modulus Furniture-- a Pawtucket manufacturer that I toured in May to promote Buy Local RI-- have a new agreement that will bring locally made furniture to Cardi's showrooms this fall. I am thrilled that Cardi's has decided to showcase a local manufacturer and I hope that this agreement is just the beginning of the new economic opportunities that Buy Local RI can create."
Buy Local RI began last year with a public awareness campaign encouraging Rhode Islanders to support locally owned, independent businesses. “Main Street” events including tours of shopping districts statewide, tours of farmers’ markets and visits to individual manufacturers like Modulus build on existing local initiatives that highlight the opportunity and benefits of choosing to Buy Local RI. National studies establish that 50% more of each dollar spent in a locally owned business remains in, and sustains, the local economy than a dollar spent elsewhere.
The Buy Local RI initiative has also launched a website, www.buylocalri.org, dedicated to expanding the market for local businesses and products by connecting consumers and businesses to independent, locally owned companies. During the current initial enrollment phase of the website, Rhode Island based independent businesses are encouraged to sign up for a free listing. Once businesses have signed up, a searchable database of local businesses will be on the website to help consumers and other Rhode Island businesses “buy local.”
To register a local, independent business, go to http://www.buylocalri.org. For more information about the Buy Local RI initiative, visit the Lt. Governor’s website at http://www.ltgov.ri.gov/buylocalri/