If you ask Downtown ASU students about where they go to hang out many of them will say they stay on campus, but that’s because most of them don’t know about the 60-plus different Downtown local businesses that offer discounts. Most participating restaurants, shops and entertainment venues provide discounts ranging from 10 percent to 20 percent for most businesses as well as other types of discounts.

The Use It Here Program works with the ASU ID card known as the Sun Card. Although most students know about the ASU currency of Sun Dollars, that is not what this program works with. Instead you can find a list of vendors online and when you get to participating restaurant or store, you’ll see a window decal with Sparky and you should be able to present your ID card at the time of the purchase to receive the discount.

I’ve grown to love these different local businesses and they offer much more than just a corporate restaurant or store. They offer great customer service and a sense of community.

Here are my Top 3 different places to visit if you are Downtown.
1. Bunky Boutique – Owner, Rachel Richards – Malloy is one the sweetest person I’ve met. She is a friendly face at her boutique and that just makes your day when you’re going to get outstanding customer service. Bunky offers some unique and vintage clothes. She not only caters to the female demographic, but also to men. From unique jewelry to home decore and clothes, Bunky has a little bit of everything. She also offers an ASU discount of 15 percent, even on sale items.

Her “In the Yard” event that took place on Saturday, Nov 14 had Bunky Boutique partnered with Phx DYI and The Roosevelt Tavern. The event provided refreshments from the Tavern, booths from local businesses selling different clothing and art items, and gave attendees 20 percent off at Bunky plus giveaways. “In the Yard” showed Rachel’s dedication to ASU and Downtown.

2. Phoenix Suns – U.S. Airways, the home of the Mercury and Suns, is located just minutes away from ASU’s downtown campus and the Suns offer a special discount for the ASU community. Prices for games range from $27-75, depending on where you want to sit. Lexus Club seats are as low as $75 and corner seats are available for as low as $27. The site is updated often and more games will become available, however the discount limits the tickets available so if you want to see your Suns take on the Boston Celtics Dec. 30, get your tickets now!

3. Urban Cookies – “Organic cookies that taste like heaven,” is the best way to describe Urban Cookies. Shaun and Brady Breeze, both born and raised in Phoenix, are the owners of Urban Cookies and use about 95% organic ingredients to make their delicious cookies. From milk chocolate to pineapple coconut and dark chocolate with almonds, these aren’t your average homemade cookies. With a soft center and crunchy rim, these cookies allow you to indulge in a guilty pleasure. They also make cupcakes that were named after their son, Oliver. Another great thing about this family-owned business is that they offer a 20% discount to the ASU community.

Everything is about building a community between these and other Downtown businesses and ASU.