First Friday will make a comeback on August 6, with a fresh look and renewed excitement about drawing more customers to retail and restaurant establishments in downtown Anderson.
City of Anderson Economic Development is supporting the First Friday kickoff by hosting food trucks and live music at Carolina Wren Park, according to city Business Education and Event Manager Caroline Gaddis. The City is encouraging downtown businesses to stay open until 8 pm and to offer a First Friday special each month.
“I hope First Friday is the biggest night for businesses in downtown Anderson during the whole month,” Gaddis said. “If we can encourage people to shop and dine with our local merchants, that means the world to us, and from an economic development standpoint, that’s what we’re here for.”
Some downtown merchants such as The Kitchen Emporium & Gifts have staged and participated in their own versions of First Friday over the years, but a renewed partnership with the City of Anderson will bring ownership to the program, said Melissa Moore, owner of Indigo Custom Framing & Artisan Market.
“First Friday is an opportunity to bring more exposure to what’s available in downtown Anderson,” said Moore, who has been a Main Street merchant for about eight years. “I also hope that it will create more camaraderie between downtown business owners so that we’re working together with the same vision.”
For its part, City of Anderson Economic Development commissioned Lunchbox Creative to develop a new First Friday brand that includes a tagline encouraging visitors to “shop, dine and unwind.” The City also is paying for First Friday promotion, along with an anchor event each month that will be held in Carolina Wren Park, Gaddis said.
But business involvement is critical, she added.
“We know that many of our local businesses were hurt because of COVID and we believe this is one way to help bring more people downtown, like those who are not able to get down here during the day,” Gaddis said. “We want people to come downtown, enjoy themselves and help spark business success in Anderson.”
