The Brightside: Shop Local Delmarva

DELMARVA – A focus on local business and comminity: that mission has been the driving factor for the Facebook group, Shop Local Delmarva, since 2020.

David Galeone, founder of the group, tells us it has grown beyond what he ever intended, with 16,200 members. Between promoting events like the Barn BBQ or event the Tangier Class, David says it’s taken off and exemplified the meaning of the community.

“You look at how many people came together to help raise money, to help somebody who’s in a time they need something,” says Galeone.

With Shop Local Delmarva, it’s a free and quick way to advertise for a local business within the community. Exposure creates chatter, and with more chatter comes more foot traffic for those businesses.

Over the last few years, David says his efforts to only promote positive comments about local businesses have been questioned, but he emphasizes the need for it, stating that bad reviews can be found anywhere, and Shop Local Delmarva wants to set itself apart in that way.

Through David’s and other partner’s efforts, the group now looks ahead to not only conintue the steady growth of the group, but the overall success of the community.

“Pick up the phone, call a local business that you know, that you’ve seen, it’s got some branding and is involved in your community, and you’re not only helping to support that local business to support people in our community, you’re giving back to the community too.”

Whether partnering for future events, advertising for small businesses who don’t have the marketing resources, or sharing positive feedback for other community members to experience, David says, “Being able to help support some special things to be in the community, that’s the biggest things I see Shop Local Delmarva doing.”

You can check out Shop Local Delmarva on Facebook.