If you're looking for some\0x2028thing new to do this Fri\0x2028day, besides the regular Sky-17-Bourbon-Momma G's cir\0x2028cuit then head to Opelika.
This Friday, April 5, is Opelika's monthly First Friday event.
Every first Friday of the month, shops in Opelika's downtown district are open until at least 8:00 p.m., and there is live entertainment throughout downtown.
"There's a different ambiance on First Fridays," said Pam Powers-Smith, director of Opelika Main Street. "You have more people milling about, and it's a really laid-back, casual night."
People can visit restaurants normally open late, such as Jefferson's, Ma Fia's Ristorante and Eighth & Rail, but explore other parts of downtown Opelika while they wait.
"Instead of standing there waiting for your table for an hour, people know they can walk around and shop, or pick up dessert at one of our dessert places that stay open a little later that night," Powers- Smith said. "Typically people will run into people they know, so you're chatting with people and it's fun."
During First Friday, customers can visit up to nine retail stores in downtown Opelika that are open late.
Some of the stores that participate are Fringe Consignment Boutique, The Coveted Closet and Jane Sweet Jane.
Fringe and The Coveted Closet sell clothing for women and girls, while Jane Sweet Jane and Taylor Made Designs specialize in handmade items and gifts such as pillows, lamps, jewelry and accessories.
Staying open late on First Fridays gives stores a chance to reach people they may not normally be catering to.
"People that hold a nine-to-five job don't really have the opportunity to shop at our retail stores, so this is the perfect chance for them to leisurely come out and look around our shops," Powers-Smith said.
Fringe experiences a difference in customer base because of First Fridays, said store manager Ashley Colquitt.
"I do think we have different customers that come through the night of First Friday just because of us being open late," Colquitt said. "People tend to come through here because they see that we're open when they're going to dinner or whatever."
One thing missing from First Friday is the college demographic.
"I think we don't get too much of the college population up this way, and I think it would be great for them to start coming here," said Lisa White, store team leader at Fringe.
This month's event will feature music by Destiny Brown, an Auburn alumna, and other musicians from the local area.
"We have live musicians set up sporadically around the downtown area, so each block has a different musician," Powers-Smith said.
First Friday is already a hit with Opelika residents, but Powers-Smith continues to encourage more people, especially Auburn students, to come enjoy the downtown event.
"Try something new," Powers-Smith said. "Come over here and see and do something different. Go somewhere for dinner that you don't normally go to dinner in Auburn and experience the atmosphere for yourself."
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