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We'd like to start our first "official" newsletter with a note of gratitude.

When we first had the idea to start a website and community that would serve as a resource hub for Union County, we could only hope that others would catch on to the concept.

We'd like to thank each and every one of you for joining our network, and embracing what we feel is our commitment to this community.

We've spent several months now putting our energy into building our membership in hopes that we'd be able to inspire more folks in our area to take part, to be active on the website, as well as in the community. We've still got a way to go, but feel we're on our well on our way to doing that. Our membership has quickly risen to more than a hundred in just a few months, and we still get pretty excited to see new faces. Now that we've gotten a little more established, we've decided to switch to a more functional newsletter platform, something more professional for our messages to you -- this is our first foray into this new territory.

You're receiving this message because you've either signed up for it, or because you are a member of the Union County Neighbors Community. To ensure that we're obeying all SPAM laws, we are using this to give you an opportunity to opt-out of our newsletters. You can do so by using the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email, or by sending a letter by postal mail to the address, also located at the bottom of this email, as required by law.

If you DO want to continue to hear from us with a weekly newsletter full of useful local information, news and events found in your area, you don't have to do a thing.

Remember, if you unsubscribe now, you can you can always change your mind and rejoin the newsletter by using the subscription link on the website.

Whichever your decision, we hope to continue to serve you as a local resource, and look forward to seeing you often on our community at http://uc-nc.com

Sincerely
Scott & Erin
Union County Neighbors Founders

 

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Monroe Crossing & Turning Point Battered Women's Shelter Present:

Turning Point's first Beach Ball

Enjoy some Beach Music, Dancing, Silent Auction, Limbo, Photos
Pre-Sale Tickets Only
Tickets are $ 50.00 per person. Food and Adult Beverages are included in the ticket price. All proceeds go to benefit Turning Point's Battered Women's Shelter

For Tickets call Jamie Underwood @ 704-283-9150 or Purchase at Monroe Mall's Customer Service

In case you haven't heard, the new Xtreme Play has opened in the Monroe Mall (AKA Monroe Crossing). It has inflatables, game stations, and a parent's lounge - right here in Monroe. They even have child care, so you can drop the kids off and do some shopping without the kids (how many moms just cheered!?)!

So the next time the kids are begging to do something fun, and it's so hot outside you can't bear the thought of taking them to the park, save yourself some gas money, and don't drive into Matthews or Pineville to take them to Monkey Joe's, hit Xtreme Play in Monroe Crossing instead.

As a token of our gratitude to you, our members, and in celebration of this very cool new store in the mall, this month we'll be giving away a $20 Monroe Mall Gift Certificate, graciously donated to us by Caroline Adams, Director of Marketing at Monroe Crossing. You don't have to do a thing to enter either -- we'll choose a random winner from our mailing list.

Feeling discouraged because you don't have children? Don't worry, the Gift Certificate can be used at any of the stores located in Monroe Crossing!

Winner will be announced in our email on July 29th, so don't forget to read our next newsletter, or you might miss this great prize!

Featured Businesses

Other Local
Networks & Sites

1. Significantly more money re-circulates locally when purchases are made at locally owned, rather than nationally owned, businesses. Locally owned businesses help keep more money in our community because local business owners spend more of their profits where they live - here - and locally owned businesses purchase from other local businesses.

2. Most new jobs are provided by locally owned businesses. Small, local businesses are the largest employer nationally. Small businesses account for the largest share of net new jobs generated each year, and locally based businesses provide some of the most stable employment opportunities in our community.

3. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of our distinctive character. The unique character of Union County is what brought us here and will keep us here. By shopping locally, you help ensure the success of local businesses, not to mention helping our area to maintain its local flavor.

4. Local business owners invest in the community. Local businesses are owned by people who live locally and are more invested in our community's future. Big-box stores aren't likely to sponsor your child's t-ball or soccer teams,it's the small community-oriented business owner that will do that.

5. Customer service is better. Local businesses are closer to the customer and hire people with more specific expertise for better customer service. They don't have the luxury of being able to get away with bad service the way those huge stores do - they know if they give you inferior service, they are more heavily impacted by the effects of poor word of mouth advertising. Besides, they might find themselves sitting beside you at church next Sunday, or in line at the grocery store tomorrow.

6. Competition and diversity leads to more choices. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based on the needs of their local customers and not on a national sales plan, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.

7. Reduced environmental impact. Shopping at locally owned businesses is more energy efficient. Locally owned businesses make more local purchases, thus reducing their transportation costs (and environmental impact).

8. Public benefits far outweigh public costs. Local businesses require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.

9. Encourages investment in the Union County area. A growing body of economic research shows that entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character. I think our recent growth explosion proves that, now let's hold on to what made our area so attractive in the first place.

10. Non-profits and Local Programs receive greater support. This is a big one. Non-profit organizations receive an average of 350% greater support from local business owners than they do from non-locally owned businesses. Sales tax on all products sold within our county go toward supporting local programs and services such as schools, social services, and other locally funded organizations. Every dollar you spend outside our county goes to programs that are located in the county where you spent your money!

Turning Point's 1st Annual Beach Ball
July 25, 2009 at 9:30pm to July 26, 2009 at 12:30am – Monroe Mall

Marvelous Light Consignment
(new & used)

Karen Williams
Connie Meadows
103 Indian Trail Rd
Indian Trail NC 28079
(704) 821-1941

Mon - Fri: 10am - 6pm
Sat: 10am - 3pm

We Accept payment by
Cash and Check

When Karen Williams moved recently, she realized she had way too much stuff, and needed to get rid of it. When Connie Meadows was a little girl, she and Shirley, her mother, spent a lot of time together going to yard sales and flea markets. They loved the adventure of finding a great deal, and spending time together. These sisters, who lost their mother in February 2007 to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, decided to combine these two things by opening a consignment shop in Indian Trail that is inspired by their mother's love of bargain hunting and family time. Now they spend six days a week working together, being typical sisters as well as business partners at Marvelous Light Consignment – and yes, even the name of the shop is dedicated to their mother's memory; it comes from what they call 'their Mommy Song' – Marvelous Light, by Charlie Hall.

This shop is more to these ladies than a business, it is an expression of love, and that shows in the way they do business. When we stopped in to talk to them, my daughter found a collection of tiny little dolls she wanted. We told her she could only buy 5... Karen and Connie threw in 4 more as a bonus, bragged about how cute she was, and just generally made us all feel at home. They also bragged about their other customers, saying that they'd met “absolutely wonderful people” since their grand opening June 1st. Actually, they said their customers are the best part of the day.

Their racks overflow with clothing, handbags, shoes, their shelves are full of toys, jewelry, artwork, and collectibles, and they also have some furniture. If you're a Barbie collector, I highly recommend checking them out! they have loads of them, still in their boxes, and right now, you can even buy a vintage 1951 juke box for a steal.

We hope you'll stop in and say hello to Karen and Connie, and have a look around the store. Their prices are incredibly reasonable, and it's a pleasure to be in their shop. They'll treat you like family, because family ties are what the shop is founded on.

Marvelous Consignment Tips:

• Call ahead and schedule an appointment if you'd like to consign items with Marvelous Light because consignments are taken by appointment only.

• Before bringing items in to Marvelous Light, be sure they're in good repair and clean, especially if they've been in storage a while.

• Expect to sign a 90-Day Consignment Contract. If your items don't sell by the end of that contract, you'll be contacted to come pick up anything that hasn't sold.

• Sales are divided 50/50 if the item is marked for less than $100, and 60/40 (in your favor) if the item sells for more than $100.

Hidden Treasures is a monthly addition to our newsletter. In this section we will highlight a local business. We choose from new businesses, or businesses we feel are little known or that could truly benefit from a little extra attention and publicity. If you'd like your business to be featured in Hidden Treasures, talk to me:erin@uc-nc.com

Contact Us:

For Advertising Inquiries:
Admin@uc-nc.com

To Sponsor a Giveaway:
Erin@uc-nc.com

By Phone:
704-668-1344

Union County Neighbors offers Classified Ads, Business Directory, Local News, Events, and Free Forums for all Union County NC Residents. You can also share your pictures and videos, and even have your own blog! We provide resources that serve all residents within Indian Trail, Hemby Bridge, Fairview , Lake Park, Marshville, Mineral Springs, Monroe, Stallings, Unionville, Waxhaw, Marvin, Weddington, Wesley Chapel and Wingate.

Union County Neighbors Mission Statement
We at Union County Neighbors feel that an integral part of maintaining a healthy local economy, as well as healthy community attitudes and atmosphere, is support from our neighbors. Local businesses rely on local customers, and neighborhoods and people depend on one another to look out for each other. In order to foster these ideas, Union County Neighbors pledges to create a site where residents can find the products and services they need and desire, within our area. We also hope to create an online community where friendships and partnerships can be forged.