LOCATILE Launches: Shop Local Online
LOCATILE is Open for Business!
Shop several popular area small independent businesses on one site at the newly launched LOCATILE.com. The site boosts sales opportunities for boutiques in Crystal Lake, Woodstock, Algonquin and Lake Zurich to complement in-store shopping that may be affected by weather, convenience and the pandemic.
LOCATILE’s founders (L-R): CEO Dan Hartke, CMO Erin McElroy and COO Scott LeRette, during soft launch testing at Mum 117 in Crystal Lake.
Founded by a team of Crystal Lake entrepreneurs seeking to support small businesses, LOCATILE is designed to inspire local pickup or shipping to maximize sales of shops not always thought of for shipping and online business. And, purchases can be made 24/7 making it easy to shop and support small from anywhere on any device at any time!
The name “LOCATILE” is a blend of the words “local” and “mercantile”. The concept is the brainchild of Dan Hartke, Erin McElroy and Scott LeRette, who collaborated to use their talents to construct a customized technology platform. Virtually replicating the experience of being able to pop into several boutiques just as you might walking down a main street or local shopping district.
Shop owners already onboard from the area include Mum 117, Mellie’s Chocolate and Co., and Wear Did U Get That in Downtown Crystal Lake. Apple Creek, The Thoughtfulness Shop and My Little Bow Peeps Shop from Woodstock. Swedish Ivy from Algonquin and Anuyu in Lake Zurich also have virtual storefronts on Locatile.com. Lulu’s Wiggin’ Out of Crystal Lake and Savior World of Woodstock will also be launching products soon on the site. Other McHenry County and neighboring communities will soon join the site as Locatile is actively seeking new partner shops to onboard.
Shoppers on the site can peruse the online products and add items to their virtual cart, or they can click on each store and learn the business focus and philosophy from the owners.
Service fees will be waived through April 2021. If you shop Locatile, use hashtags #thinklocalfirst and #shopsmallonline when posting photos of your treasures! Be sure to tag LOCATILE’s Facebook and Instgram pages, too! Happy shopping!