With the holiday season comes the search for holiday gifts for everyone in the family — from kids to grandparents and even the family dog. While it’s easy to click a few buttons and purchase everything online, there’s nothing like the experience of browsing a local shop for unique finds. And Shop Local Macomb has you covered.
To encourage families to support local independent stores in its 27 communities, the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development, or MCPED, has launched its sixth annual Shop Local Macomb event — sponsored by First State Bank, Macomb County Chamber, Sterling Heights Regional Chamber, Anchor Bay Chamber, Eastpointe-Roseville Chamber, Greater Romeo Washington Chamber, and Richmond Chamber of Commerce.
To help you plan your trip, find a list of all 1,600 independently owned and operated retailers in Macomb County in this map.
Note: To ensure the safety of yourself and others, be sure to wear a mask, practice social distancing while out shopping and stay home if you are not feeling well.
It kicks off on Thursday, Nov. 18, and continues until Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. The initiative is an important one when it comes to the financial stability of the overall community.
“Dollars that are spent in the local economy typically stay in the local economy longer than those that aren’t spent there,” says Amy Persyn, the marketing director and first vice president of First State Bank.
The bank’s decision to partner with the county for this initiative again this year was an easy one. As the only community bank in Macomb County, First State Bank has had the opportunity to work with several local businesses and even invest in them through lending, she says.
And when it comes to providing a more meaningful shopping experience, Persyn, a mom of two, says local stores — including toy and clothing shops — are the way to go.
“It can definitely be an enriching experience to take a little kid to one of those type of stores who are independently operated,” she says.
As part of its sponsorship, First State Bank is offering 10 $150 gift cards to lucky shoppers who support local stores. To enter follow these three simple steps:
- Snap a photo of yourself shopping locally.
- Submit your entry on the Make Macomb Your Home website — be sure to mention the local retailer’s name.
- Share on Facebook or Twitter using the #ShopLocalMacomb.
Note: Participants are only allowed one entry per store and are only allowed to win one $150 gift card. Entrants must be at least 18 years old. No purchase necessary.
In addition to entering themselves for one of the $150 gift cards, shoppers who share photos of local businesses also automatically enter the business they’re posting about into a $1,000 drawing.
The winners of the gift cards and the $1,000 business prize will be announced on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, on the Make Macomb Your Home Facebook page.
So, this holiday season, instead of shopping at a big box store, try helping out the families in the community.
“The smaller, independently owned businesses need support like the big guys,” she says. “It’s really a great campaign. I think it was a wonderful idea. I think it’s really cool for the collaboration to happen.”
For more information on the Shop Local Campaign, visit the Shop Local Macomb website or, to get additional details about Macomb County, visit the Make Macomb Your Home website.
This post was originally published in 2019 and is updated annually.
