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Davis, California

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Downtown hosts community sale on Saturday

If you like to shop and are interested in saving money, 30 is the magic number.

Forty-eight downtown Davis businesses will participate in the “Spend $30 on 1/30” local business promotion sale. Spending $30 or more at participating stores will yield savings and opportunities to win prizes.

Davis Downtown Business Association (DDBA) coordinated the event, which is the second promotion of its kind. The first sale took place Aug. 30 last year.

“The first spend $30 on the 30th was enormously successful,” said DDBA’s Director Joy Cohan. “Retailers who participated experienced anywhere from a 50 to 150 percent increase in sales than they usually would expect on a Sunday.”

Shoppers can expect big savings. Anyone who spends $30 or more at a participating business will also be eligible to enter a raffle.

There is no limit on entries per customer; every $30 purchase can be redeemed for a separate raffle ticket. All prizes are products or services from downtown businesses.

“This is appealing because people can do something to make a difference,” Cohan said. “The global economic crisis is a complex issue. This is a simple concrete way to make a difference. We can make a conscious choice to keep money in the community. Sixty cents of every dollar spent at these businesses stays in the community as opposed to only six cents of every dollar spent at a big box retailer such as Target.”

Cohan said during tough economic times it is especially important to remember small locally owned businesses.

Armadillo Music at 225 F St. is offering 30 percent off all used records DVDs and CDs. The Sacramento band Ellie Fortune will also perform live at 5 p.m.

“We try to do a lot of in-store performances by local artists,” said Jordan Smart, assistant manager of Armadillo Music. “We try to give the customer a different experience than if they walked into a big box retailer. We’re not faceless. There are six of us on staff. We like to be personal and keep the small business aspect. Odds are that if you go into a big retailer nobody is going to know you by name.”

The participating businesses are offering one-of-a-kind deals. To name a few, the Avid Reader’s customers will receive a free gift with $30 purchase or more, while Baskin Robbins’ patrons will receive 30 percent off any cake paid. At Ciocolat, visitors can buy two entrees and two glasses of wine for $30.

Furthermore, Davis Food Co-op is offering 30 percent off any bottle of wine priced at $30 or more, and Diana’s Nail Salon will offer $5 off any services totaling $30 or more.

UC Davis sophomore Brittany Vock had not heard of the Jan. 30 promotion until recently.

“Well, $30 is a lot to spend for a college student but in general I do like to shop locally,” Vock said.

For a complete list of participating retailers, prizes available and instructions on how to enter the raffle, visit the DDBA at davisdowntown.com.

SAMUEL A. COHEN can be reached at city@theaggie.org.

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