The following is a press release from Sean Fisher of BuyCincy.com.

CINCINNATI - BuyCincy.com is urging the citizens of Cincinnati to unchain themselves on November 17 - to do any business they plan to do on that day only at locally-owned independent businesses. Cincinnati Unchained is part of America Unchained, a national campaign of the American Business Alliance (AMIBA).

For the Queen City's first Cincinnati Unchained, locally-owned businesses from around the Cincinnati area are banding together to help local citizens "break the chain."

Businesses such as Park + Vine, Shake-It Records and Contemporary Galleries will exchange "big box" competitor gift cards for their own. MiCA, Metronation and City Roots will give 10% of the day's sales to the new School for Creative and Performing Arts, while Reser Bicycle Outfitters will donate $10 from every mountain bike they sell to the Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance. Metro Scooter, Mustard Seed Boutique, and Essencha Tea Shop will be having in-store promotions, allowing customers supporting these locally-owned businesses to get something back for themselves. For a complete list of businesses with Unchained promotions, visit www.buycincy.com/unchained.

From 8pm to 11pm on the night of November 17th, shoppers and shopowners alike will gather at Below Zero Lounge for the Cincinnati Unchained afterparty.

"Studies from small towns in Maine to sizeable cities like Austin, Texas found that locally-owned independent businesses create about three and a half times the local economic activity as chains do. A study released in 2004 looked at the local economic impact of 10 independent businesses and 10 chains in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago and found that the independents generate 70 percent more local economic impact per square foot than chain stores," said American Independent Business Alliance director Jennifer Rockne. "Why? Because home town businesses pay local employees, use the goods and services of other local independent businesses and give back to community institutions far more than chains." said Rockne.

For more information on Cincinnati Unchained, and a full listing of local business participation, go to - www.buycincy.com/unchained.