Special deals available to shoppers at upcoming I Buy Nearby Weekend
ROCHESTER, Mich. — Speaking in the heart of a successful downtown in Oakland County, James P. Hallan of the Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) today reminded residents that where they spend their shopping dollars this Saturday and Sunday during I Buy Nearby Weekend and throughout the year matters a great deal to Michigan’s local communities and state economy.
Donna Bourgoin hosted Hallan and the Buy Nearby news conference at her 4th Street Boutique, one of many Rochester stores that draw shoppers from throughout southeast Michigan. The state economy would grow by more than $9 billion and nearly 75,000 new jobs would be created if Michigan residents made sure to buy from retailers in Michigan, rather than from out-of-state sellers who don’t invest in the state, said Hallan, MRA president and CEO.
“Here in downtown Rochester, longtime retailers such as Green’s Art Supply, entrepreneurs such as 4th Street Boutique and specialty restaurants such as Via Cucina are offering customers unique goods and services every day,” he said. “Michigan communities benefit from having retailers that, in many cases, offer or use Michigan products. When shoppers buy from local businesses, it has a monumental impact on our state and communities.”
To encourage shoppers to visit nearby retailers and help Michigan’s growth continue, MRA runs the year-round Buy Nearby campaign to create excitement about the great shopping in Michigan and the advantages of supporting retailers and communities in Michigan.
The campaign’s biggest promotion occurs this Saturday and Sunday, when retailers across the state will be offering shoppers special deals and promotions during I Buy Nearby Weekend. The special weekend includes a drawing for a $500 gift card for one lucky shopper who posts a photo of buying nearby with the hashtag #ibuynearby on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
In Rochester, long-time resident Donna Bourgoin dreamed of opening a cozy and friendly boutique that reflected all her favorite shops in distant cities rolled into one. She launched 4th Street Boutique when “the perfect building” became available downtown.
“I wanted to offer women clothing that was stylish and affordable, with over-the-top customer service,” Bourgoin said. “When shoppers come in, they know they’re going to get our full attention and a chance to try on new looks right here in the store. That’s something you don’t get when you buy online from out-of-state retailers.”
Green’s Art Supply has been a mainstay of downtown Rochester since 1966, and owners Kevin and Kim Cooke delight in carrying on the family tradition along with son Matt and his wife, Megan. The retail store has an
expansive and reliable inventory of art, ceramic and drafting materials, and it continues to supply materials for educators and art programming and to offer art classes. It also acts as an online resource for artists of all levels and talents.
“Our passions and goals remain the same today as they were when my parents started this business in 1954 – to provide our customers with the best art materials at prices that work and to provide the type of customer service that they would tell their friends, family and co-workers about,” said Kevin Cooke. “When people buy nearby, they make it possible for family businesses such as ours to last for three generations – and hopefully more.”
That message was echoed by Kristi Trevarrow, executive director of the Rochester Downtown Development Authority, who said local businesses are an integral part of what makes Rochester and Oakland County a great place to live, work and visit.
“Our businesses rely on dedicated customers who realize the value they offer and buy from retailers in their community,” she said. “Supporting businesses such as 4th Street Boutique, Green’s Art Supply, Oliver Simone Salon and Via Cucina is a fantastic way to help boost the city’s economy and create more jobs while enjoying great food, services and shopping.”
Bologna Via Cucina is one of three Joe Bologna restaurants in southeast Michigan, along with Joe Bologna Trattoria in Sterling Heights and Via Bologna in Clarkston. Bologna Via Cucina offers a cozy dining room along downtown Rochester’s Main Street as well as Italian food based on family recipes, an extensive wine list and Michigan craft beers.
“Being supported by customers from the Rochester area means the world to us. Many of our customers feel like family,” said owner Danny Bologna. “We strive to buy nearby ourselves by offering Michigan beers and Michigan ingredients in our dishes. About half of every dollar spent in a Michigan store goes back into the local and Michigan economies, so buying nearby helps all of us.”
Susan Michaels, who owns Oliver Simone Salon near 4th Street Boutique, said Rochester’s vibrant downtown is one reason Rochester is such is such an attractive place to live and work.
“Customers who buy nearby provide the encouragement needed to draw even more retail stores to the city,” Michaels said. “We like to support other retailers in downtown Rochester, and to let shoppers know how much good they do for Rochester and their community when they buy nearby.”
Also attending the news conference was Buy Nearby Guy, the campaign mascot that’s an 8-foot-tall representation of a shopping bag in the shape of Michigan, colored blue to mirror Michigan’s lakes and skies. MRA has created a Buy Nearby Guy coloring book that young shoppers can pick up at selected retailers.
Michigan Department of Treasury figures show that retail trade accounted for $93.7 billion in economic activity in Michigan in fiscal year 2014, the most recent year available, not counting food and prescription drug purchases. That’s a fifth of the state’s gross domestic product. More than 866,000 jobs statewide are directly dependent on retail sales.
Additional information is available at BuyNearbyMI.com and Facebook.com/BuyNearbyMI.
