Announcing #shoplocalsoma for the holidays!

We are partnering with the Maplewood Village Alliance and the South Orange Village Center Alliance, along with the Maplewood and South Orange Chambers of Commerce, to present Shop Local SOMA for the Holidays! (shoplocalsoma.com).

This is a brand new initiative from all 5 organizations, as we are asking everyone in the greater SOMA community to pledge that they will purchase at least 3 gifts during the holiday season at local, independently owned stores in South Orange and Maplewood. We know that you can buy almost any gift you may be looking to give at a local store in our community, so we're urging everyone to do just that this holiday season.

Why are we doing this? Because the more money we spend locally in our towns, the more money will stay in our local towns. It's really that simple.

Our 5 groups have joined together to ask all of you take the pledge: will you purchase at least 3 holiday gifts from local stores this year? We're counting on the fact that you will say a resounding YES to taking the pledge, which is why we have created this website. It's so easy - just go to the site and click on the "Make the Pledge" link, put in your name and your town, and you're all set! You will join the ranks of your SOMA friends and neighbors who are also taking the pledge!

Oh, there's one more thing we want you to do: share this site on your social media pages. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest - whatever. Just share it so you can help spread the word! And please use the hashtag #shoplocalsoma when you're tagging. The most liked photo will receive a $200 gift certificate to Maplewood's newest restaurant, The Cassidy.