Sometimes you’ve got to take matters into your own hands.
That’s what downtown Port Huron shop owners have done, organizing the End of Summer Sale for Friday, Aug. 28, and Saturday, Aug. 29.
A baker’s dozen worth of small business owners have come together on their own accord and with no other motivation than to get people to visit downtown Port Huron this weekend, inviting them in with a bevy of sales.
"This is another great example of a business-led event downtown. These businesses wanted and arranged this sale," says Cynthia Cutright, director of the Port Huron Downtown Development Authority.
"It’s a last chance for summer, to get people back downtown. With everything going on in the world, people have been coming downtown in spurts, depending on how they’re feeling."
The stores participating in the End of Summer Sale include A Little Something, Batchmade Beauty, The Closet by A Beautiful Me, District 43, Elite Feet, Karas & Co., Lounie’s Soap Co., MI Passion, Polka Dot Pandas, Ruboo Boutique, Spa 223 & Boutique, Suzanne’s, and Uniquely Me Boutique.
Cutright says that there is no overarching theme to the event. It’s just another reason to get people back downtown while the weather is still nice.
"No one really wants to say goodbye to warm weather," she says. "It’s about staying positive."
The End of Summer Sale happens to coincide with Friday’s Shop, Rock’ N’ Stroll event, which is produced by Downtown Port Huron and the Parks & Recreation Department.
From 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, DaVinci and TJ Kelly will be playing free concerts at the Military Street Pocket Park and Fuel Woodfire Grill, respectively.
The summer-long music series has just received approval to be extended through September.
"It’s so encouraging seeing people downtown again – and not just in a financial way but in a community way," Cutright says.
"We want to see people’s faces again. Let’s remind people that we’re here and that our doors are open."
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