On Tuesday, December 2, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz did some holiday shopping and visited local merchants as part of the “Shop Brooklyn” initiative. “Shop Brooklyn” is an awareness campaign highlighting the uniqueness of Brooklyn’s neighborhoods and thriving shopping corridors, re-introducing Brooklyn to Brooklynites, and inviting tourists and visitors to experience this cultural and shopping destination—not just during the holidays, but year-round.

Participating retailers, restaurants, bars, and other service providers will display a “Shop Brooklyn” logo in shop windows and offer special “Brooklyn Bonuses” each weekend through December 21.

“Take a family stroll down Brooklyn’s lively thoroughfares,” said BP Markowitz, “and you’ll find every gift and supply on your holiday list—at a great price! From the corner grocery where you buy milk to the florist who knows just which bloom says it best, to the boutique that always has the right outfit for that last-minute invitation to the hardware store where they sell Christmas-tree  stands. Shop, eat, drink, and enjoy the holiday season in the creative capital of the world—Brooklyn U.S.A. And to my fellow Brooklynites, remember that shopping local keeps Brooklyn thriving—you could say, a Brooklyn patron is a Brooklyn ‘patriot’!”