Trending
FAIRMONT-- The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its first Sip and Shop from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28. There are 17 local businesses participating and just 300 tickets available.
Chamber President, Kandi Menne, explained why the event is being held and what the goals of it is.
"I've been going to some of the retailer meetings and they've been talking about doing a quarterly event that circles around some of the downtown businesses. It was mentioned in a couple meetings that they wanted to do something like this," Menne said.
She said the Chamber was asked if it would take the event on and jumped at the opportunity.
"We feel that it will be something positive and hopefully get more people into the stores and into Fairmont," Menne said.
She said even if people don't make a purchase that night, the hope is that they'll come back and visit the stores in the future.
"Events do often times bring people from other communities to Fairmont because it's something special," Menne said.
The Chamber reached out to Fairmont businesses to see if they would like to participate in the event. Seventeen agreed, nine of which are downtown and eight in the greater shopping area.
"For the ones not downtown, we're offering a shuttle to get them there so they don't have to drive if they don't want to," Menne said.
A ticket gets a person the privilege of sipping while they shop at 17 different locations.
Menne said they decided to call it 'Sip and Shop' rather than Wine Walk like in Blue Earth because there's more than just wine.
Each participating business gets 300 one ounce sample cups and they have the freedom to serve what they want. Several are serving margaritas, some are offering wine, one is doing hot chocolate with the option to add a shot of Rum Chata and a few are doing special shots.
Several of the stores are running specials or drawings for prizes. Menne said some may also be offering appetizers.
She pointed out that not all of the businesses are retail stores, but that the event ultimately serves as an opportunity to get people into the store.
"There really isn't a greater opportunity to get 300 people into your store in a four hour period. We're really excited about that aspect," Menne said.
Another perk of the event is that it's serving as a fundraiser for the Holiday Street fund. Menne pointed out that the iconic red lanterns that hang along Downtown Plaza and State Street during the holidays are actually owned by the Chamber and that they would like to get more as well as maintain what they have.
"We've been raising money for awhile. Most of it goes to maintaining what we have, like replacing lightbulbs and fixing them if they break. They're pretty old," Menne said.
Other proceeds from the event will go to the Retail Business and Entertainment Committee (RBE) to fund future projects in the community.
"Whatever the proceeds are, we'll split it between the two. We're giving it all back to the community," Menne said.
As for why the event is being held on a Thursday night, Menne pointed out that many weekends in the fall are already full with other activities and that on Friday nights a lot of sport events take place.
"We're always open to changing it by request if need be," Menne said.
Overall, she said that the participating stores are excited for the event and that the Chamber hopes to make it an annual event.
Tickets are available now at the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce for $20. They'll be available the day of the event for $25. On the day of the event, participants will meet in Citizen's Park, where they will receive a card and a wristband ensuring that they're 21 years of age. At each location, the store will be marked off the card.
"We're excited to have a positive, fun event, get people in the stores and raise some money to give back to the community," Menne said.