Join Shop Durham for free or check out our premium membership option below!
1) The business is privately held and not publicly traded
2) The business is based locally in Durham, North Carolina and has no corporate or national headquarters outside the state
3) The business owners who have a controlling interest of more than 50% live in Durham or surrounding county
4) The business can make independent decisions regarding the name and look of the business, business purchasing, practices and distribution, as well as pays all their own marketing, rent, and other business expenses
And align yourself with hundreds of independent Durham businesses in the movement to keep things local and support our community.
The Shop Durham card helps the community get out and discover local businesses like yours.
You’ll get more loyal customers in the door, free advertising on our social media platforms, website, free mobile app, newsletters, and Guide to Durham series on BestoftheBull.com.
Thousands of locals have the Shop Durham card in their wallet.
We’re their go-to source to find places to eat, drink, shop, get their haircut, work out- basically, where to spend their money locally.
Simply create a unique offer for your business that Shop Durham cardholders can enjoy. All we ask is that you create an offer that is clear and concise. As a participant, you agree to honor your offer to cardholders from the time you sign on through December 31st of the following year.
We’re proud to support a number of local nonprofits like Duke Homestead, Scrap Exchange, Hope Animal Rescue, and many more with fundraising efforts.
When you add your business to Shop Durham, you’re also helping them by building the value of the card.
Although we would love to support all business owners, our focus of the Shop Durham program is only on locally-owned businesses that are unique to Durham or the Triangle area. If you’re a franchise or chain, there are still opportunities for us to partner together though on our Best of the Bull platform! See our Partner with Us page for more details.
Nope! We have lots of local makers, online shops, and run-from-home spots that are part of the program. As long as you are a Durham based and grown business, you’re in! (We’re sorry, we do not accept franchises) You can create a coupon code or accept the card at local markets.
Yes! Feel free to choose a time or day that may be slower. That way it will encourage cardholders to come at that time.
When you give a small discount it allows us to do free advertising for you. And you’re rewarding the cardholders that come in and actually spend money.
Say you do 10% off $10 or more. If 200 people come in because they have the card and spend at least $10, that’s $2000 – $200(10% discount) = $1800 in your pocket.
We think that’s a pretty good return for just joining Shop Durham for free.
Plus you’re giving them an incentive to come try your business and maybe even become customers for life.
Nope! You can apply to be part of the program anytime. We approve new businesses once a week.