Hennepin Rewards
Get rewarded for shopping local
Now more than ever, small businesses need our support.
Hennepin County Open Rewards is a new countywide, shop local rewards program designed to strengthen our local economy. When residents shop, dine, and spend at local businesses, they help create jobs, and keep dollars circulating locally.
By downloading the free Open Rewards app, you can earn up to 5% rewards on qualifying purchases and redeem at other local businesses. From neighborhood eateries to independent shops throughout Hennepin County, using Open Rewards makes it even more rewarding to shop local.
Restaurant, retail, and other eligible businesses in Hennepin County are automatically enrolled. There is no cost for a business or resident to participate.
Help Hennepin County make every purchase count by keeping your dollars local.
How it works
- Download the Open Rewards app and select Hennepin County as your community.
- Shop at eligible local businesses throughout Hennepin County.
- Earn up to 5% rewards and redeem rewards on qualifying purchases beginning Small Business Saturday, November 28.
While funds last. Program parameters subject to change without notice. Additional rules, including annual and per transaction maximums, apply. See FAQ and the Open Rewards app for details.
Frequently asked questions (FAQS)
For residents
How much can I earn?
You can earn up to 5% back on eligible purchases, up to $10 in rewards per transaction. Customers can earn up to $300 per calendar year (January – December).
Where can I earn rewards?
See the business list located in the Open Rewards app.
Do my rewards expire?
Yes. Rewards expire three months after they are earned. You can see expiration dates in the “expire” section of your app.
Who is sponsoring the ‘shop local, earn rewards’ program?
Funding is provided by Hennepin County in support of our small business community. The app is a product of Open Rewards, a public-benefit corporation, that partners with cities and counties to implement ‘buy local’ strategies in their communities.
Are there certain purchases that are not eligible?
Some purchases do not earn or redeem rewards, including alcohol purchases, lottery tickets, money services (such as bill payments, check cashing, and cash back), gift card or prepaid card loads, and purchases over $3,000. Open Rewards reserves the right to request additional information from you to validate your purchase as part of our fraud prevention efforts.
How it works for local small businesses
- Personal service, restaurant, retail, and other eligible businesses in Hennepin County are automatically enrolled. Is your business eligible and enrolled? Check the directory of businesses where shoppers can earn rewards.
- Not listed? Enroll your business now.
- There is no cost for a business or resident to participate. Download the Open Rewards App to get started. Earn points, track rewards, and discover participating businesses — all in one place.
Frequently asked questions (FAQS)
For businesses
What do I need to do to participate?
Chances are your business is already included in the program at launch. Try searching for your business in the app; if you find it, you are all set! If you don’t see your business and want to add it, follow the instructions on the Open Rewards website
Does it cost my business anything?
No. Customers earn rewards at no cost to your business, thanks to investment from Hennepin County as part of its strategy to support small businesses.
How do customers earn or redeem rewards at my business?
There is no required work on your end. Everything is handled via the app directly with customers. That means customers should always pay their bill in full, as they normally would, even if they plan to use rewards. If a customer asks to use their rewards at checkout, let them know to pay as usual and apply their rewards in the Open Rewards app afterward.
How do I let customers know my business is part of the program?
Here are some ways you can promote Hennepin Rewards:
- Display our ‘shop local, earn rewards’ window cling or flyers at your business, e.g., at the check-out counter, on your windows, etc. Email elevate@hennepin.us to request a window cling or flyers.
- Share that your business is part of Hennepin Rewards via social media.
- Tell your customers and help them earn rewards at no cost to you!
What are the eligibility requirements for businesses?
To participate, your business must:
- Be a customer-facing storefront business located in Hennepin County
- Be independently owned (not a franchise or a chain with locations in multiple states).
- Have fewer than 250 employees with fewer than 10 locations in Hennepin County
- Not be a home-based, online-only business, or other type of ineligible business further described below
Eligible businesses include: restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, food trucks, theaters, music venues, museums, art galleries, retail, specialty retail, new/used retailers, grocery, pop-up shops, stores in cultural malls, farmers market vendors, salons, fitness and recreation, drycleaning, clothing repair, tailors, auto repair, auto detailing.
Ineligible businesses include, but are not limited to: National, multi-stage chains and franchises with unified branding, online-only, home-based, business to business, businesses debarred by federal or state government, businesses in violation of local ordinance or licensing, gambling, adult entertainment, vehicle sales, gas stations, cannabis, off-sale liquor, breweries that do not serve food, taprooms that do not serve food, distilleries that do not serve food, bars that do not serve food, tobacco, smoke shops, firearms and weapons, gun ranges, pawn shops, professional services (such as consulting, architecture, design, engineering, real estate, insurance, legal, finance), medical, dental, residential or in-home care, schools, day cares, adult day cares, residential and commercial real estate sales and rentals, hotels, lodging, short-term home rentals, car rentals, car share, car service businesses.
Can I see information about how customers are earning and redeeming rewards at my business?
Yes! Simply register for your business in the app, and you’ll see all the stats. Find instructions on the Open Rewards website
For more answers, see the full Open Rewards FAQ
About Open Rewards Open Rewards is a community-driven public benefit corporation that encourages people to shop locally. Every time you make a purchase at participating businesses, you earn points that can be redeemed for rewards. It’s a simple way to make a big impact — supporting neighborhood businesses, keeping dollars circulating locally, and fueling economic growth.
For questions about the Hennepin Rewards program, contact elevate@hennepin.us.
