Is it a thrill to wake up each morning eager to see a new great deal from a local business? Groupon thinks so. That’s the hook it hopes will have millions of consumers in a growing number of American cities sign up and provide the critical mass that prompts stores, restaurants, salons, fitness centers and other establishments to dive in with offers.

August Grocery, an independent retailer who specializes in selling seasonal fresh foods and produce for cooking meals at home, used Groupon to drive about 300 people to its 1,700-square-foot store in Wicker Park here last week.

Groupon, also based here, was launched in 2008 as part of The Point, an online website that leverages group action to make things happen. Groupon leverages the power of group buying to offer daily deals at deep discounts.