Oakland University/Downtown Rochester static decal window stickers have been distributed to stores and restaurants to place in both their front windows and on cash registers. The decals say: “Downtown Rochester is Oakland University Town! Discounts offered for OU students, alumni, faculty and staff with presentation of university ID. Go Grizzlies!”

About 50 businesses and restaurants are participating, each offering a variety of discount and coupon opportunities. Participating merchants include:

Antiques by Pamela

Arizona Saddlery

Aurum Jewelers

Bogart's Baskets

Brooklyn Pizza

DMJ Interiors

Derma Vogue Salon

Double Rainbow

Downtown Cafe

Fitness Together

Heller's Jewelers

Hepplewhite's

Hermitage Gallery

Lytle's Pharmacy

Midwest Jewelers

Morley's Candy

P.R. Haig Jewelers

Penn Station

Plain & Fancy

President Tuxedo

Red Knapp's Dairy Bar

Resale Connection

Riverstone Gallery

Tally Ho Antiques

The Beauty Corner

The Silk Worm

Weisman Optical

XS (Tattoos)

The following stores and restaurants are participating through the FAN's alumni discount program:

227 Bistro & Wine Bar

Andiamo Oseria

Beaches Smarter Tanning

Blimpie Subs & Salads

Buddy’s Pizza Bar & Grill

China Express

Color Me Bronze

Domino’s Pizza

Greens Art Supply

Hamlin Pub

Hanson’s Running Shops

Hollands Flowers and Gifts

Jon Iris Salon

Moosejaw

Organize-It

Photo-Site

Pizza Hut

Quality Lubrication

Red Lotus Yoga

SEE Eyewear

Something Fabulous

Taste of Thailand

The UPS Store

The Sun Oasis

Toll Brothers Inc. @ Century Oaks

UpDog Yoga

Visions Auto Glass

About eight merchants participated in Grizzfest this year during OU’s Welcome Week. The merchants brought information about their businesses to campus along with student discounts and sat at tables outside the Oakland Center to interact with students, faculty and staff.

Other upcoming events in downtown Rochester involving Oakland University include the Girls Night OUt on Thursday, Oct. 7, and the Gallery Stroll on Monday, Nov. 29.

Girls Night OUt

Local merchant, Robin Smith of Born To Shop organizes an annual event each year called "Girls Night OUt." This year she is putting an OU spin on the name in marketing materials to help in reaching out to OU students, faculty and staff. Several hundred event brochures have been delivered to residence halls and student organization mailboxes to get the word out for students.

The evening of girls-only shopping is Thursday, Oct. 7, from 5 to 9 p.m. Shoppers can enter to win 40 $25 gift certificates by shopping at nine stores and having a card stamped to qualify for the drawing. No purchases necessary. For more information, contact Smith at (248) 608-2920.

Art students to showcase work at Gallery Stroll

OU's Department of Art and Art History will show the work of 12 students during the Nov. 29 Downtown Rochester Gallery Stroll. Hermitage Gallery owner Cindy Wolanchuk approached Oakland to participate because of the university’s growing partnership with the downtown.