Downtown event targets female shoppers

The first Ladies’ Day Out Downtown, featuring in-store promotions, fashion shows, restaurant specials and live entertainment geared toward women, will be held 10 a.m.–10 p.m. July 23.

Organizers hope the day creates a lasting impression.

“We’re hoping for at least 1,500 people,” said Mitzie Zerr, DSA president. “We know that’s about the number they’ve been seeing on First Friday ArtWalks.”

The event is intended to help merchant members promote their businesses and bring new shoppers downtown. There are 36 participating businesses. Each will hand out casino-themed player’s cards that make individuals eligible for roundtrip airfare and accommodations for two to Las Vegas donated by Allegiant Air. Shoppers must have their cards validated by 20 of the 36 businesses and turn them in at any participating business by 10 p.m.

Zerr said the idea for the event came from observing events in other towns, including Lee’s Summit near Kansas City.

The Downtown Lee’s Summit Merchants held its fourth annual Ladies’ Night Out June 11, with 2,000 shoppers in attendance. About 1,000 people attended the first year.

The 36 participating DSA members paid a $100 participation fee to help with the costs of Springfield’s event, including posters and radio promotions. MidWest Family Broadcasting and Alice 95.5 FM will have live remotes from the event.

Zerr said the goal is to bring more attention to the downtown area.

“There are so many people in Springfield who aren’t aware of how much there is downtown now,” she said.

Beth Buczynski, co-owner of Well Fed Head Books, 331 S. Campbell Ave., and a DSA board member, said, “Any event that gets people out and walking around is always good. We always see a lot of new faces when things like that happen.”

Although he isn’t planning a grand opening event until the Aug. 5 First Friday ArtWalk, Trent Schaible will open his new modern furniture and lifestyle store, Phorm, 330 E. Walnut St., for Ladies’ Day Out Downtown.

Ladies’ Day Out, he hopes, will get “more people interested in shopping and what’s available downtown.”

Both Schaible and Buczynski plan to offer in-store incentives, but details have not yet been finalized.

The event, Zerr said, may find its way onto DSA’s annual calendar, an idea that board member Buczynski approves.

“At least once or twice a week I have a conversation with somebody who lives in Springfield who hasn’t been downtown in a long time and says, ‘Gee, I had no idea there was so much going on down here.’ Just given that kind of anecdotal commentary from people who come down to have dinner or come down to see a show and decide to walk around a little bit, it makes me realize we need to continue to do events like this,” Buczynski said.

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