The weather may have turned a bit more wintry lately, but the Aurora Downtown group hopes that the Love Local Days promotion set for Feb. 1 to 14 will heat up business in the center of the city.
The emphasis on buying and supporting local businesses will feature a payback of sorts for visitors who will receive a range of discounts on food and products from more than two dozen participating businesses, perhaps the largest total ever for the promotion, which manager for Aurora Downtown Marissa Amoni said reflects the growth of local businesses.
“Aurora Downtown is always trying to do something unique to engage people and bring them downtown to enjoy our wonderful shops and restaurants, and Love Local Days allows the businesses to share that love with their customers,” Amoni said. “It’s an opportunity, for two weeks, to get really good discounts as much as 10% to 20% off from some places, while other merchants are offering specials – sometimes daily – for the two weeks.”
Amoni said the emphasis on a local shopping program in February “started a few years back as a way to give back to our supportive community for helping us grow over the years.”
“We’ve asked member businesses what specials or discounts they’d be interested in offering and, of course, we have many participating businesses offering specials to bring them downtown and a way to thank them,” she said. “A lot of people are shopping for Valentine’s Day and it works hand-in-hand with that as well.”
A press release from the Aurora Downtown group adds that when shoppers mention “Love Local,” patrons will be able to take advantage of savings during the two weeks at the more than two dozen downtown businesses.
Participating businesses include Altiro Latin Fusion, La Quinta de los Reyes, The Cotton Seed Creative Exchange, The Perch, French 75 Gallery and Lounge, Do or Dye Designs, Tavern on Broadway, Tredwell Coffee, The Cornucopia Shop, Craft Urban, Chupacabra Puerto Rican Kitchen and others.
Half-off wine will be available on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday during the promotion at Stolp Island Social, 5 E. Galena Blvd. Wyckwood House, 80 S. River St., will take 14% off of purchases. Ballydoyle Irish Pub, 28 W. New York St., will have half-off chocolate martinis on Wednesdays. Craft Urban, 41 S. Stolp Ave., will offer daily specials.
Amoni said while there is not a dedicated restaurant week in Aurora, customers “can go to one of our participating restaurants like Ballydoyle with a group of four and get 20% off your bill” during Love Local Days.
“You can also go to Craft Urban and get $5 when you spend over $35,” she said. “You can go to Tavern on Broadway and get a discount as well as Altiro. This really benefits all of our businesses and everyone can enjoy it.”
The Aurora Downtown group did not have a promotion or event in January and is anxious to welcome back its monthly First Fridays event on Feb. 3 which Amoni says “also has a love local theme.”
“Absolutely this is our introduction into a year of many, many events that we are excited about,” she said. “Things have absolutely grown and it works in tandem, it works together by people supporting local businesses who in turn thank those patrons with some of these discounts. It helps our businesses to grow and our downtown to thrive.”
For a list of participating stores and restaurants and discounts offered, go to https://auroradowntown.org/love-local-days-2023/
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
