Michigan Retailers Association to give away over $1,000 in prizes during shop-local celebration

Buy Nearby Weekend, Michigan Retailers Association (MRA)’s annual celebration honoring Michigan’s retailers and small businesses, takes place this weekend from Oct. 3-5, 2025. This year’s celebration features two contests with prizes for consumers and Michigan-based retailers totaling over $1,000. 

Buy Nearby Weekend takes place on the first full weekend of October every year, signaling the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season. Shoppers are encouraged to “Keep Your Money in Michigan” by “buying nearby.”

Shining a light on the importance of supporting local business, Buy Nearby Weekend highlights the economic impact of shopping locally. Michigan would see a $1.9 billion increase in gross economic output by shifting 10% of our state’s out-of-state e-commerce purchases to a Michigan-based business.

Buy Nearby Guy Road Trip

This year’s Buy Nearby Weekend celebration includes a road trip across Michigan with the Buy Nearby Guy, a blue Michigan-shaped mascot. The Buy Nearby Weekend Road Trip takes the Buy Nearby Guy from Lansing to Elk Rapids, with a pit stop in Grand Rapids, and other mystery pit stops along the way. Consumers can visit the Buy Nearby Guy in sponsoring destinations on Sat., Oct. 4, 2025.

  • 9:30-10 a.m. at Mieras Family Shoes, 841 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids
  • 1-3 p.m. at numerous retailers in downtown Elk Rapids

Consumer Contest: “Shop 3 Challenge” Punch Card Contest

New for the 2025 celebration, consumers can enter to win a $500 gift card by completing a punch card challenge. 

“MRA invites Michiganders across the state to take our ‘Shop 3 Challenge’ on Buy Nearby Weekend, by visiting at least three locally-owned retailers and small businesses in your community,” said MRA VP, Communications Vic Veda. “Visit a participating business to get your punch card and collect a stamp or signature for three visits. Enter to win a $500 gift card, just in time for the holiday season.”

Shoppers can pick up a punch card at participating retailers and sponsors across the state of Michigan, or print their own on the Buy Nearby website at buynearbymi.com/bnw25. Visit the website for additional information and contest rules, and for a map of participating MRA member businesses. No purchase is necessary for entry.

Retailer Contest: Buy Nearby Weekend Display Contest

Retailers and small businesses can show off their Michigan pride by entering the Buy Nearby Weekend Display Contest. 

Promote the importance of shopping locally with your customers, host Buy Nearby Weekend-themed events, and utilize the Buy Nearby Media Kit provided by MRA to create a Michigan-themed or Buy Nearby Weekend display in their store or on your website. Michigan-based retailers can submit a photo of their display to enter to win a $500 gift card or 1-year MRA membership.

More information on the Buy Nearby Weekend Display contest and an entry form can be found at retailers.com/buy-nearby-weekend-2025-display-contest.

Michigan’s retail industry employs over 510,000 workers at over 90,000 retail establishments across the state. Additional information is available at buynearbymi.com.