By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Downtown has an evening of shopping, food and prizes scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. April 20.
Downtown Hays Development Corp. had a fashion show scheduled for this date, but that event was removed from the schedule because of a staffing change.
The event is now being called the Shop Hop on the Bricks.
The event will include drawings for gift cards and prizes ranging in value from $50 to $500 from downtown businesses. A ticket to the event will earn you an entry into the drawing. You can earn additional entries for every $25 spent at a participating business. Special discounts for attendees will be offered.
In addition, businesses will have the option of offering refreshments. This may range from appetizers to more fancy fare, Sara Bloom, DHDC executive director, said. Alcohol may be served at some establishments, so it is being billed as a 21-and-older event.
“I think it is a known fact in the retail world that after Christmas in January and February it can be a little slow for retailers. March and April are when people start shopping again and start thinking about graduation and Mother’s Day and other events that are coming up,” Bloom said, “so downtown really likes to reach out to the community at that time, remind them of the great gift options that are downtown and the unique options that are downtown.”
For people who have recently moved to the community or who are not familiar with downtown, this is their opportunity to explore downtown.
Bloom said this is a great time to visit downtown because of all the new businesses. The Niche, a painting and craft studio, will soon celebrate six months on the Bricks. German eatery Das Essen Hutte, which was briefly located in Big Creek Crossing, will soon open a location downtown. Bronze On Tanning is also new. The business offers ear piercings and other products in addition to tanning.
“This is a great event to enter businesses that you may or may not have been in before or maybe you are entering your favorite business and they are going to have some special discounts and food and drink for you as well,” Bloom said. “It is just a great time to see everything that downtown has to offer and do some shopping for your friends and family or maybe just for yourself.”
Tickets go on sale today. They are $10 each, and only 300 will be sold. Tickets can be purchased at the DHDC office at 106 W. 12th St. or online at https://www.downtownhays.com/
For the last several years, downtown has hosted a spring event, formerly called The Taste.