Geneva downtown merchants set First Fridays event Sept. 4

GENEVA – Sixteen stores in Geneva’s downtown will be participating in a First Fridays event from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 4.

Lynn Ball, manager and buyer for the Liz & Kate Boutique, 407 S. Third St. in the Dodson Place courtyard, said downtown merchants were resuming the First Fridays event for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Although we originally established the idea of First Fridays over a year ago, this year’s leadership for First Fridays has been myself, along with Jacque Barr with Cafe & Barr, also located in Dodson Place. We have worked together discussing opportunities, contacting the merchants and preparing the marketing materials to promote the event,” Ball said. “It’s a communitywide effort in bringing in additional foot traffic from 5 to 8 p.m. as most stores close between 5 and 6 p.m. The idea is not just keeping doors open, but to offer something special, different or unique.”

It could be a discount on store products, a new product line, a trunk show or sampling a new food or beverage, Ball said.

“It’s something they do not typically do in regular business hours,” she said. “It’s more than keeping their doors open. It’s doing something special.”

The idea is the specials are not available until 5 p.m., she said, to keep the event exciting.

First Fridays fell off a bit during January, February and March because of the weather and then stopped because of the pandemic, she said.

The event actually started some years ago on Thursday nights, but that “fell off the map,” Ball said.

“Two years ago, we broached the subject again to bring back an evening when we are all open late,” Ball said. “It’s Friday. It’s not a school night and they can enjoy the downtown area a little bit later in the evening.”

In addition to Ball's store, participating businesses are Anastazia, Bruce & Willy's, Cafe & Barr, Galena Cellars Winery, Flair on Third, Evernia, Kilwin's, The Peaceful Parlour, Peak Fitness Boutique, Perk Up, Jade, The Royal Wren, The Winding Deerpath, Scentcerely Yours and Yoga Six. Information is available on the Downtown Geneva First Fridays Facebook page.