Sure, those tax refund specials from large multinational retailers are awfully tempting, but the economic health of your neighborhood, city and country are at stake.

The last month has been a busy one here at BuyCincy HQ.  On top of taking home 2 "Best of Cincinnati" award from CityBeat, we have added two new stellar writers to the fold: Jordan Neff and Stepfanie Romine.  We've also been working on a couple parts of the site away from the main page that we though you might want to know about.  

One, we have put another update into our local shop directory to add information about Duttenhofer's , Linden Noll, OUTSIDE, Campus Cyclery and Avril Bleh among others, check out the full directory here.  And two, we would like to give a shout to Reser Bicycle, who a few weeks ago posted a blurb about themselves on the BuyCincy wiki.  We are encouraging business owners to sign up for our wiki (its free!) and post a little information about their stores to help us spread the word about the plethora of great Cincinnati owned businesses.  If you know a business owner that might be interested, send them over!

What's the deal?
This Saturday independent record stores across the states are throwing a party for themselves, and you're invited. Record Store Day is a day to celebrate the invaluable role of the mom & pop record store to any city's local music scene: local bands are able to find shelf space, music enthusiasts are able to track down that long lost import album with their help, and we all know big box and vinyl don't mix. They are one of the main arteries that keeps music pumping through our hearts.

It's never been easy though.

Smaller budgets and less shelf space mean that indie record stores have to be more selective in what they carry in-store, less buying power means generally higher prices for the end customer, and the advent of EBay and Amazon coupled with lower general CD sales has been a strong blow to the industry.

That's why it's more important than ever to support your local record store. Hit the jump to find out where you can head locally this Saturday to pick up a new (or old) album, along with some great deals coinciding with Record Store Day.

Our good friend Ina from Madras 641, a designer fashion company with roots in Cincinnati (which BuyCincy previously covered), just shot us a note that her Spring 08 line is now at the Mustard Seed Boutique on Ludlow Ave.  Mustard Seed is the second local boutique to our knowledge to pick up the line, with Bajon Salon in West Chester carrying the line since its debut last fall.  Christie at Mustard Seed confirmed that the store is carrying pieces from both the men's and women's lines, so dudes and ladies alike can stop by and check them out.

1) Jean Robert's Lavomatic - For the second month in a row, Jean Robert's new OTR cafe is tops further proving that Cincinnati thinks JR is the man.

2) Market Watch March - Our newest column is one of our most successful ones.  The March edition of Findlay Market's contribution highlighted the history of the market and gave us a taste of the Findlay Market Opening Day parade at the end of the month.

3) BuyCincy Opening Day Guide - When Opening Day did come around, BuyCincy readers were hungry for some baseball news.  Our Opening Day Guide featured where to see the parade, where to see the game, and how to make a local Opening Day feast at home.

4) The Living Canvas - Curtis Heuser's new book about his gorgeous home murals is drawing some majorly positive comments.  People who have toured his Newport home tell us it is a must visit.

5) New Store: A Lucky Step - Lots and lots of Google searches for the home furnishings store that opened up in February in the Gateway Quarter.

Just because you live in the city doesn't mean you have turned your back on nature.  And, just because you embrace the outdoors doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style.  OUTSIDE, newly opened on 12th St. in the Gateway Quarter of Over-the-Rhine, has a goal to help you find modern, stylish outdoor furniture and accessories suitable for dressing up your yard, patio, or even fire escape.  What to find in the store?  A ton of planters, birdfeeders, garden decor, outdoor serving sets, furniture and some really cool looking stainless steel grills.  Although the store is geared towards urban outdoor areas, owner Terry Lee states that even those with larger yards should be able to find hip outdoor goods at the store.