LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan House of Representatives adopted HR367 on Wednesday, formally recognizing October 2-4, 2026 as “Buy Nearby Weekend” in the State of Michigan. Michigan Retailers Association thanks sponsoring Representative Joseph Aragona (R-Clinton Twp.) and a bipartisan group of co-sponsors.
Hundreds of retailers and local businesses across Michigan will celebrate Buy Nearby Weekend the first Friday-Sunday of October. The weekend connects shoppers with local small businesses and retailers across the state, raising awareness of the impacts of supporting local storefronts instead of out-of-state online websites, while encouraging consumers to “Buy Nearby” and “Keep Your Money in Michigan!”
“We are grateful for the Legislature’s support of Buy Nearby Weekend 2026,” said Bill Hallan, President and CEO of Michigan Retailers Association. “We encourage every Michigander to celebrate and Buy Nearby as we enter the holiday shopping season. Every $100 you spend locally instead of online puts $24 of new income into Michigan.”
This year’s celebration marks the 13th annual Buy Nearby Weekend and includes a road trip across Michigan with the Buy Nearby Guy, MRA’s lovable blue Michigan-shaped mascot, with visits in Port Huron, Marine City, and Elk Rapids.
Downtown Port Huron: Friday, October 2, from 5-6pm
Downtown Marine City: Friday, October 2, from 7-8pm
Downtown Elk Rapids: Saturday, October 3, from 1-3pm
MRA’s “Shop 3 Challenge Punch Card Contest” returns for Buy Nearby Weekend, giving shoppers a chance to win a $500 gift card for visiting at least three local businesses during the celebration.
More information can be found at BuyNearbyMI.com/bnw26.
According to the 2026 Buy Nearby Economic Impact Study, if Michiganders redirected 10% of their estimated $33.4 billion in out-of-state e-commerce annually, Michigan would gain $1.8 billion in gross economic output.
Additional information is available at buynearbymi.com.