Entreprenuers Entice Shoppers to Great Little Spots in Royal Oak

Kate Richard and Johanna Berger want Royal Oak residents to "think locally rather big box," and while doing so, get an extra 20 percent of value.

Last October, entrepreneurs Richard and Berger invited our neighbors to the north to do the same when the pair launched Great Little Spots (GLS) in Birmingham. Richard, a former retailer lives in Birmingham and Berger, an experienced digital marketer, lives in Bloomfield Township.

In an effort to get feet on the streets, Richard and Berger introduced a  pre-loaded GLS reward card, which may be used at participating businesses in Birmingham and now in Royal Oak, too.

“Anything you can do in a big box, you can do locally,” Richards said. “And you don’t have to sacrifice quality or price. We want people to enjoy downtown shopping again.”

The way it works

For every dollar you spend on your GLS card you get an additional 20 percent of value that can be spent at any of the participating GLS merchants. If you spend $50, you get an additional $10 loaded on your card; spend $100, get an additional $20 and so on.

The GLS card may be re-loaded from the GLS website or from your phone all day, any day.

“There has not been a good incentive to shop locally other than feeling good,” said Richard. “That’s not going to cut it.”

Richard said GLS is trying to level the playing field for small businesses that can’t compete with the deep marketing pockets of chain retailers. The company started with four Birmingham businesses and has grown to more than 30 participants in four months. They are hoping to find similar success in Royal Oak.

You can find out what local businesses are great little spots at the Royal Oak launch Thursday at from 6-9 p.m. Richard promises there will be a little of everything, from cleaners to pet supplies stores.

“We don’t focus on just restaurants and boutiques,” she said.