BY BTL STAFF
photo: S2_CC1_RoyalOak_2547.jpg
Small Business Saturday is a big deal in downtown Royal Oak. The event on Nov. 25 is part of a national effort started several years ago in conjunction with American Express to encourage people to shop and buy locally.
Customers who make purchases of $25 or more at participating stores that day will receive a free Royal Oak canvas tote.
Sean Kammer, manager of the city Downtown Development Authority, told The Daily Tribune the DDA bought 1,000 of the tote bags to hand out and filled them with coupons and gifts worth a total of about $20,000.
The bags will contain a book that can be stamped at participating businesses. Once a shopper has purchased 10 items they can drop the passport-like book off in a ballot box at Royal Oak City Hall. In return, the DDA will mail the shopper a gift card from a local business, Kammer said.
"We think Small Business Saturday is going to be unique in Royal Oak and an opportunity to introduce new faces at the stores," he said.
Participating retailers will be included on wayfinding maps that are being distributed now. Visit stores like Bright Ideas Furniture, Citizen Yoga, Dapper House Barber & Shop, Five15, Former Vintage, Gallery U Boutique, Gayle's Chocolates, Goldfish Tea, hihi, La Roche, LIFT, Liz Louize, Memory Lane Too, Mi Nutrition, Nada&Co., Paper Trail Books, Scout, Studio Sandra, Toyology, Write Impressions, Blu Jean Blues, Made in the Mitten, The Dirt Label, Chrome Clothing, Kitty La Rue Boutique, Funky 7, Lost & Found Vintage, Motor City Gas, Hermann's Bakery, Yoga Shelter, Custom Elements Jewelry and more.
