Downtown to Cupid Shuffle for First Thur.

It’s the first Thursday of February and downtown businesses are geared up to Cupid Shuffle this evening for their monthly First Thursday event.

Party downtown

“People, come out!” Rexayn Tribble, Downtown Business Association President said. “There’s stuff to do, come do it. It doesn’t cost anything; you don’t have to buy tickets.”

Several businesses will have special deals or treats for downtown visitors tonight, and at 6:30, business owners will join patrons on Washington Street to perform the Cupid Shuffle.

According to the Downtown Business Association, these businesses have planned specials today:

• Spa on Main: makeup class and savings

on Valentine’s packages and products

• All About Flowers: free Mylar OR 15 percent discount with any Valentine’s Day order placed; the store will also debut new gift products

• The Southern Hippie: making Valentine’s and an ongoing 30 percent off dot sale

• Martha’s on the Square: serving chocolate dipped strawberries and 10 percent off new arrivals

• Shelley’s Shoes: movie themed party with refreshments, a piñata and prizes

Tribble said the Cupid Shuffle will go on rain or shine. A Portion of the Square will be closed during the dance.

“You don’t have to buy anything while you’re here. Come walk around, visit with the shops, see what’s available,” Tribble said. “When you need something, we’re here for you. We’re not going to cram it down your throat that you have to spend this much money between 4 and 7. We’re trying to make ourselves available to people.”

How’s it going?

First Thursday started in 2018 as a way to encourage El Dorado residents to spend more time downtown, and in particular to stimulate the city’s local economy. Businesses stay open until 7 p.m. with the hope of attracting those who have to work until 5 p.m.

At the Downtown Business Association’s

January meeting, several business owners said that the First Thursday events were not the economic boon they’d hoped for. Main Street El Dorado executive director Beth Brumley said that the program, which has only been in place for about a year and a half, needed more time to get off the ground.

“I will say that it takes three years for something to take off,” Brumley said at the meeting. “I don’t know what the key is.”

Tribble agreed, saying that while she believes it is good for the DBA to continue First Thursdays, the key to success is unclear. She said out-of-town attendance at First Thursday events is up, but that she tends to see the same local visitors month after month.

“I just don’t feel like we have any momentum,” she said. “We’re not getting more people involved. We have a ton of people who say they forgot about First Thursday; it’s the First Thursday of every month. It’s always the same.”

Overall, however, Tribble said she feels the First Thursday events are heading in the right direction and have promise. She encouraged El Dorado residents to attend this month’s event, which will be held today from 4 to 7 p.m.

“It’s not even cash registers ringing. It’s about people – the camaraderie, the conversation – people,” she said.

To learn more about the Downtown Business Association or tonight’s First Thursday event, visit the Downtown El Dorado Facebook page.