Downtown stores stay open later on Thursdays

Many people who work 9 to 5 have trouble racing downtown in time, when most shops close their doors at or shortly after 5:00 p.m.

Starting last week, however, some of Sidney's downtown stores joined together, staying open until 7 p.m. on Thursday nights. The city is helping to promote these idea with advertising in print, radio spots and social media.

Community Development Director Megan McGown said,

"We want to create a buzz as well as help generate traffic downtown,” observed Sidney's Community Development Director, Megan McGown. “It is especially helpful to people that work full time and can't make it into the stores during regular business hours and I'm eager to see retailers embrace the idea."

Not all the downtown retail outlets are part of the program. Those that keep their lights on join a long tradition.

"We always have been open late on Thursdays, ever since we started 18 years ago,” said Larry Fraas, owner of Larry's Clothing Company. “I remember when Sidney was a busy place on Thursday nights. It used to be a petty big shopping night."

The downtown community hopes that more stores will follow suite, staying open until 7:00 p.m.--and that this, in turn, will draw more people to the Illinois St. corridor. For now shoppers will find Larry's Clothing Company, Imagine That, Simply Natural, New To You, Accents Home and Yard décor and d'Boutique open for business for additional hours on Thursdays.

"If the customers come in, I will be here to meet their needs and help in any way I can," Fraas said.