Shop Local' philosophy shared by Maria Luisa Whittingham

As the holiday season is now really upon us - and "Shop Small Saturday" is just days away - we wanted to share something with you, in case you missed it. Recently, Maria Luisa Whittingham's letter about the value and imporance of supporting your independent local business was published  in both The Journal News and online at LoHud.com. Please take a read - and also check out all we are doing at both Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa this Thanksgiving weekend HERE

Did you see us in the Halloween parade?

The Maria Luisa team had such a blast at the Nyack Halloween Parade, dressed in eco-minded costumes and helping, along with Keep Rockland Beautiful, our "Say NO to the Bag!" pledge drive.
We have many a Thank You to share. We thank:

• Nyack Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the parade.
• Credit for the dress creations goes to Emelia Ruyle, one of Maria Luisa's valuable and talented team members. 
• A great big Thank You to the Rockland County Solid Waste Management Authority for the Bag beasts
• Bill Batson for becoming the bag beast
• Sue Webb as the baby beast.
  
• Keep Rockland Beautiful, Inc.http://www.keeprocklandbeautiful.org for their tireless work! 
• Susan, Jazmin, Maribel, Emelia, Jennifer, Stephanie and Laurie for their creativity, enthusiasm and Say NO to the Bag team spirit.
• Janae and Janae for choosing to march with 'Bag Beaty and the Beast'

Maria Luisa is committed to reducing the use of single use plastic page. Re-using and recycling. Please sign the pledge to say NO to the bag at www.saynotothebag.com

Not only did we have a blast, Maria Luisa and Bill Batson won top honors going as "Beauty & the Beast."

While you're in the signing mode, if you haven't already then please also read and sign our "Say NO to the Bag!" pledge. 
It's a simple step that each of us can do - and a step that makes a huge impact locally. Say NO to the bag and Spread the word.

Congratulations are in order here, at Maria Luisa

Congratulations are in order here, at Maria Luisa. The Business Development Center and the RCC College Foundation will be hosting their 4th Annual SBDC Hispanic Business & Student Achievement Awards Luncheon on November 7 from Noon-2pm at the Haverstraw Elks Club and Maria Luisa's founder; Maria L Whittingham will be recognized as "Latina Entrepreneur of the Year". Please join us in congratulating Maria Luisa Whittingham.  

Maria Luisa / ML by Maria Luisa / ML/GL        75-77 South Broadway, Nyack NY 10960

Halloween Procession urges public to “say no” to single use disposable plastic bags

For Immediate Release

Contact Maria Luisa Whittingham: (845) 664-8492

  marialuisa.whittingham@gmail.com 

Halloween Procession urges public to “say no” to single use disposable plastic bags

A procession led by a “Bag Beauty” and a “Bag Beast” will march in the Nyack Halloween Parade on October 25, 2014 to promote the “Say No To The Bag” campaign that encourages the public to “say no” to single-use disposable plastic bags. 

The Bag Beauty will wear a gown created from single-use disposable bags and fashioned by Maria Whittingham, owner of Maria Luisa Boutique and ML by Maria Luisa. The Bag Beast will wear the 500 plastic bags that a consumer uses in a year. The grotesque garment is on loan from Rockland County Solid Waste Management Authority. 

The Bag Beauty and Beast will march in the 27th annual parade, past recycling containers that were recently installed by the Rockland County Solid Waste Management Authority through-out downtown Nyack. “There is a reason that we celebrate Halloween and observe rise above plastics in the month of October.

It is scary that we continue to rely on single use plastic bags,” said Maria Luisa. “If people knew the horror that every square mile of the ocean has 46,000 pieces of floating plastic, killing whales, birds, seals and turtles, we might start bringing reusable bags when we shop.”

“If you are planning on attending the parade, please bring your single -use plastic bags and feed them to the bag beauty and the bag beast.  Our volunteers will collect the bags and recycle the before your eyes. The tail for the beast and dress train for the beauty will grow as the problem of single use bags is reduced.  

After the parade, the bags will be reused again.  All bags that do not become part of the permanent bag beast will be given to Anthony’s Park Mobile Arts & Recycle Center and transformed into original artworks, crafts and apparel.

This action is a collaboration between Maria Luisa, Rockland Solid Waste Management Authority, Keep Rockland Beautiful, Rockland Youth Environment Society, Anthony’s Park Art and Re-cycle Center, Bill Batson Arts and NyackNewsAndViews.

Gather at Maria Luisa at 75 South Broadway on Sat. Oct 25 @ 2p if you wish to volunteer.

We have exciting news to share

Last few days to vote - help us receive the Chase Mission Main Street Grant!

If you have not yet voted for Maria Luisa's chance at the Chase Mission Main Street $150,000.00 grant award, please concider voting for us now!

It's easy to vote - Click below and VOTE. 
https://www.missionmainstreetgrants.com/business/detail/1641

'Embracing Community' We source and sell ethical and desirable merchandise that enables us to give back to the community. How? Providing a place, merchandise and conversation aimed to empower our customers. Employment and mentoring opportunities. Overall we provide a warm and welcoming environment.

Thank you for your support!

Maria Luisa Mission Main St. Grant Applicant

Local Nyack Events

Visit our Calendar at Marialuisaboutique.com for details on upcoming events in Nyack, NY and surrounding Rockland County areas. 

October features:

3: First Friday, a village-wide event features visual artists, music and local businesses, including Maria Luisa and ML by Maria Luisa

12: The Nyack Street Fair, sponsored by the Art, Craft & Antiques Dealers Association

24-26: All weekend, help us celebrate our Grand Re-opening Celebration of the recent renovation and new expanded Global Local Fair-Trade merchandise at ML by Maria Luisa. Special Promotions!

25: The Nyack Halloween Parade

November features:

1: Keep Rockland Beautiful - Annual Awards, Live Performances by Anna de la Paz Flamenco and Jazz by the Dynamic Trio

7: First Friday, a village-wide event features visual artists, music and local businesses, including Maria Luisa and ML by Maria Luisa

And More! Visit us at Marialuisaboutique.com for more information.