FR launches First Thursday initiative

Fort Recovery businesses will be open late for the village’s second First Thursday event this week.

The first First Thursday, on Sept. 7, was a hit by all accounts, said Krista Muhlenkamp, owner of Sunshine Boutique and a member of Fort Recovery Merchants Association. The event came together somewhat last minute, as the merchants only brought up the idea a few weeks before.

“We actually thought the first one would be a bust, but it was huge, the town was hopping,” Muhlenkamp said. “We’re just hoping that it will keep growing each time.”

The event is similar to a Jay County Chamber of Commerce’s monthly First Thursday’s initiative — it started in April — during which its member businesses are encouraged to stay open until 7 p.m. or later. That effort also includes Shop Jay County Day on Nov. 2, pre-Black Friday shopping Nov. 16 and Guys Night Out on Dec. 14.

The Merchants Association and Fort Recovery Chamber of Commerce teamed up to get the event off the ground. During the first event, shoppers were given scavenger hunt clues leading them to each of the 10 businesses that participated, and those who completed the map were entered into a drawing for a $50 merchant gift card.

Several dozen people shopped at the various businesses, Muhlenkamp said, including some from outside the village. She said having extended business hours brought people uptown who couldn’t visit on a normal day.

“Most of us don’t stay open this late, so it gives working moms or stay-at-home moms time to get over here and shop,” Muhlenkamp said. “It was worth it for us to be open, it was fun, there was just a positive buzz around the town.”

Tessa Kaup, who owns Forget Me Not Florist and The Purple Post, said customers were enticed by the “30 on Thursday” promotion that goes along with the event. Participating businesses are encouraged to offer 30 percent off select items during First Thursdays.

The designated days will help the village by drawing people into the business district of the village, Kaup said.

“It brings people uptown to shop in Fort Recovery, that’s by far the biggest benefit. We lucked out, it was a beautiful night, people had strollers, they were walking,” Kaup said. “We were busy. … For just trying it the first time I was overly pleased and I’m really looking forward to this Thursday.”

Fort Recovery’s First Thursday for October will take place from 5 to 8 p.m.