Keep Your Money in Michigan: Buy Nearby in Downtown Elk Rapids
Downtown Elk Rapids is the 2026 Buy Nearby Weekend Ultimate Destination!
Happening October 2-4, 2026, Buy Nearby is the Michigan Retailers Association’s (MRA) annual celebration of local businesses, offering an opportunity to bring extra attention to our local retailers and encouraging customers to enjoy visiting several businesses in one outing to “keep your money in Michigan!”
Shoppers: Enter to win $500!
Shoppers can join the MRA’s Shop 3 Challenge Punch Card Contest by visiting three Michigan-owned businesses for a chance to win a $500 gift card. The businesses on the winning card win prizes, too! Customers can pick up their punch card at participating Downtown Elk Rapids retailers.
When you buy nearby, local communities thrive
Our district is all dressed up for autumn thanks to the beautiful work of Downtown Elk Rapids merchants! During Buy Nearby Weekend, enjoy end-of-summer-season sales and specials, stock up for the coming fall and winter seasons ahead, and kick off your pre-holiday shopping. Elk Rapids locals: Get game-day ready and find orange and black gear in lots of styles from multiple merchants just in time for Elk Rapids Homecoming on October 16.
Hungry? Thirsty? Fuel can be found in all forms throughout the weekend at downtown restaurants, coffee shops, plus our local bakery, brewery, distillery, and winery.
And as you explore downtown, you’ll get to meet the merchants behind the businesses who keep our community growing and thriving!
The Impact of Buying Nearby
The main mission of the weekend is connecting shoppers with local small businesses and retailers to raise awareness of the impacts of shopping at local businesses instead of online. The newest Buy Nearby Economic Impact study found that for every dollar spent at a local Michigan establishment, an additional $0.78 in output is generated in the economy.
The study also highlights the effect that shifting just 10% of this spending back into Michigan could simultaneously generate $1.7 billion in gross economic output, boost labor income by nearly $674 million, and create job opportunities for 5% of Michigan’s unemployed workforce.
Bonus: It’s also ART BEAT!
Add the fall ART BEAT Gallery Tour to your Saturday Buy Nearby plans! Only twice a year, Elk Rapids’ three unique art galleries—Blue Heron Gallery, Mullaly’s 128 Studio & Gallery, and Twisted Fish Gallery and Sculpture Garden—collaboratively host a free day-long art walk featuring refreshments, live music, giveaways, and artist demonstrations. Their fall ART BEAT event is happening during Buy Nearby, on October 3 from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Now in its 21st year, attendees can meet artists while touring each gallery, explore an eclectic array of fine art in all mediums, watch the artists work their magic, and, when stamped at each location, stand to win a $100 gift certificate toward that special piece you can’t leave without. Learn more by visiting the Twisted Fish website.
Downtown Community Collaboration
“Collaboration helps,” says Elk Rapids Downtown Development Authority Executive Director John Mach. “Retailers can recommend a neighboring shop, ideas to pair a stop with a meal or gallery visit, and share one another’s events and offers. It’s an easy way to introduce customers to more of the district and help keep them coming back.”
The 2026 Buy Nearby Weekend Road Trip takes the Buy Nearby Guy from Lansing to Elk Rapids, with a few pit stops along the way. Meet the Buy Nearby Guy on Saturday, October 3, from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, starting at the Clock Tower on River Street in Downtown Elk Rapids and continuing around the district.
Welcome October with a visit to Downtown Elk Rapids for Buy Nearby Weekend and ART BEAT, and “keep your money in Michigan!”
