By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
Merchants in downtown Plainwell were hoping for sunny, warm weather for the sidewalk sale event on Saturday, Aug. 13.
Instead, they got rain and cooler-than-normal temperatures.
But not even those less-than-perfect conditions kept customers away, according to City of Plainwell community development manager Denise Siegel.
“Our merchants made full use of the sidewalk with signs, balloons and banners for both indoors sales as well as outdoor sales to maximize sales to customers,” Siegel said. “Even with the rain, shoppers came out.
“In fact, several business owners I spoke to said they had a fantastic day.”
The sidewalk sales were just the latest event aimed at driving customers to the downtown area to support local businesses.
“The trend is going back to downtown living because it is more sustainable and simply more enjoyable,” Siegel said. “By hosting events like the sidewalk sales, it helps drive the economic vitality of our community.
“The variety of businesses in our downtown and the easy walking from business to business are assets that have helped to bring more new people to our community. Historic buildings being remodeled; new and exciting retail shops and boutiques; and infamous dining experiences all are the reason to shop, dine and visit Plainwell.”
To that end, the city has several other events planned during the next several months to showcase its downtown area.
Those events include: Pumpkins in the Park/Trick or Treating downtown (Saturday Oct. 15); Arts and Eats Tour (Friday and Saturday, Oct. 15 and 16); Indoor Market (Saturdays from Nov. 5 to Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m); Ladies Leaves and Laughter (Friday, Nov. 11); Shop Small Saturday (Saturday, Nov. 26); Light Up the Night Tree Lighting (Friday, Dec. 2); Holiday Parade (Saturday, Dec. 3); and Shop the Merry Mile (Saturday, Dec. 10).
“We encourage everyone who visits or lives in Plainwell to take pictures our beautiful community and post them to the Instagram page #plainwell,” Siegel said.
