Main Street Marshfield Thursday Night Program Important for Downtown Growth
Giving people reasons to explore downtown Marshfield continues to have great importance for the nonprofit Main Street Marshfield. One program that will return in some capacity is Third Thursdays, which in the past has seen local businesses open later hours, live music in Hardacre Park, and food vendors.
“Opening up the stores later brings people downtown that don’t have the opportunity to come down as frequently,” said Kaelie Gomez, Executive Director of Main Street Marshfield. “It’s a night to showcase the great businesses that we have.”
Details and dates will be finalized over the next month as the nonprofit brainstorms new ideas for the program, but whatever the program becomes, Thursday nights will be the time to check out Marshfield’s local businesses and enjoy entertainment when the weather becomes warmer.
Rebecca Spiros attended Main Street Marshfield’s Retail and Merchandising meeting early last week.
“I’m very excited that this group is really working hard to generate a stronger interest in downtown Marshfield,” Spiros said. “I think they have great ideas and a strong interest in collaborating with the City of Marshfield to promote our downtown.”
Carol Knauf, owner of women’s clothing store Rae Baxter’s, has participated in Third Thursdays for two years by keeping her store open later in the evening. “It’s been very successful,” she said. For Knauf, it’s all about being available for all shoppers who have different schedules.
“Number one, it’s for the convenience of my customers,” she said. “They have said to me that they enjoy it. It’s easier for them: it gives them an evening to come in and shop.”
“The downtown is truly the heart of the city,” said Spiros. “I would encourage anyone to shop local before making a trip out of town. There are a huge amount of unique businesses, and supporting our local business owners, in the end, also supports the economy of Marshfield as a whole.”
