The Oakland community is invited to spend Saturday, April 1, exploring downtown Rochester and taking advantage of special discounts and incentives offered just to OU students, faculty, staff and alumni during OU Day in Rochester.

“We appreciate the willingness of Rochester business owners to designate a special shopping day for the Oakland family in downtown Rochester,” said OU President Gary Russi. “The shopping, dining and cultural attractions in Rochester are one-of-a-kind.”

Downtown Rochester is home to more than 350 businesses, with 80 percent exclusive to the area. More than 100 shops offer everything from clothing, jewelry and sporting goods to antiques and home furnishings. Thirteen art galleries, including the Paint Creek Center for the Arts, and dozens of restaurants, also are found downtown. Ample free parking is found near Main Street.

Participating businesses include:

• American Cancer Society Discover Shop
• American Music Academy
• Brooklyn Pizza
• Catching Fireflies
• Gus O’Connors
• Haig's of Rochester
• Hepplewhites
• Jo’Lyn Fashions
• Merle Norman Cosmetics
• Modern Art Jewelers
• Penn Station East Coast Subs
• The Perfect Complement
• Phoenix Art Gallery & Custom Framing
• Red Knapp's Dairy Bar
• The Painted Pot
• The Pino Agency
• The Silk Worm
• Skeins on Main Yarn Co.

Skeins on Main Yarn Co. is offering free knitting classes at 10, 10:30 and 11 a.m. as well as discounts on store merchandise. Pre-register for classes at (248) 656-9300.

To take advantage of any of the incentives, simply show your OU or OUAA identification. All offers are available April 1 during regular business hours of each merchant, unless otherwise stated.

Oakland University is a proud partner of the City of Rochester. Rochester was named one of the top cities to live by Money Magazine and CNN Money and is the first city in the county recognized with National Main Street Community Certification from Main Street Oakland County. Internship and community involvement opportunities enrich the lives of OU’s 17,000 students.

For more information visit the Rochester Partnership Web page or call (248) 370-2672.