Before you thought you didn’t have any plans for April 17, well, you do. The Short North is providing another night of extended hours shopping called Third Thursday.
Third Thursday is a low-key shopping experience for those who may be overwhelmed by the crowds at the weekend Gallery Hops. This also allows visitors from out of town who may be stuck in meetings or at the Convention Center all day a way to visit and experience the Short North arts district.
Third Thursday is a new event held the third Thursday of every month. Participating stores will stay open until at least 9 p.m.and will have discounted items, special giveaways, and refreshments for customers.
As a result of visitor’s demands and business’ success when open after 6 p.m., the Short North Business Association has been debating extending store hours on multiple nights. Currently this event is a trial run, but if successful, will remain a permanent fixture in the Short North community.
The SNBA’s goal for Third Thursday is “to test the market's interest in evening shopping in the Short North,” explains John Angelo, Executive Director of the Short North Business Association. “If the evening is successful on an ongoing basis, we will consider staying open more nights.”
Although on the surface Third Thursday may seem similar to the Gallery Hop, changes have been made to ensure that there are differences. The focus of Third Thursday is the shopping.
The Short North Business Association wanted to make sure that there was a night where the customer focused on what was being sold inside of the store rather than what’s inside of a gallery or happening out on the street. The Short North is a melting pot of different tastes and types of shops, and no matter what you like and are shopping for, you will likely find it in the district.
Whether you're purchasing items, window shopping, or just taking a stroll, this night contains a variety of different experiences for those who enjoy an evening out.
"We are featuring a drawing for a Rosa Canto original oil on canvas. Anyone visiting the gallery between 6-9 p.m. on the third Thursday through August can enter once each month for a chance to win,” says Michelle Brandt of Kathryn Gallery at 642 N. High Street.
Another example is Grandview Merchantile, which also will be highlighting a dealer each month from a different category - such as vintage jewelry, china, etc.- and which will provide expert information to customers.
The following list names all of the stores thus far involved with Third Thursday: Art Exchange, Byzantium, Camelot Cellars, Ltd, Cameo Gallery, Collier West, Cookware Sorcerer, Dr. Mojoe, Echoes Art + Antiques, The Emperor's Newest Clothes, Europia Wine & Spirits, fibres, Four Winds International, The Garden, Global Gallery, Grandview Mercantile, Ivy Hill, Kathryn Gallery, The Lamp Shade, LOOT, Magnolia Thunderpussy, Mahan Gallery, Marcia Evans Gallery, Mary Catharine's Antiques, Norka Futon, Paul Robinett, LTD, Planet Smoothie, pm gallery, ReVue, Rivet, Roche Bobois, Studios On High, Substance for FASHION CONSCIOUS PEOPLE, Take 2, Terra Gallery, Tigertree, Torso, UPS Store, Urban Gardener, and What the Rock?!