Pittsfield’s ‘Girls Night Out on the Square’ promises to bring hundreds of shoppers to Pike County businesses
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By DAVID CAMPHOUSE
Based on prior years’ results, this Thursday’s Girls Night Out (GNO) on the Square in Pittsfield promises to bring out hundreds, if not thousands, of shoppers and revelers to downtown Pittsfield.
GNO Is designed by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce to offer a much needed financial and morale boost to locally owned shops and restaurants.
“From a business standpoint, we had great sales,” owner of clothing store Reap + Sow Kacie Lipcaman said after last year’s GNO. “But it was a great night, not just for sales, but as a pick-me-up to begin the holiday season. It was great for businesses.”
An important feature of Girls Night Out, according to Lipcaman, is the influx of out-of-town shoppers to Pike County.
“We had so many new customers,” Lipcaman said after last year’s GNO. “That’s huge for a small business. We saw people from the Winchester and Jacksonville area, a few from Springfield and Quincy – just all the surrounding towns, but that’s huge for little old Pittsfield.”
Pittsfield Mayor Gary Mendenhall also recognized the important role that Girls Night out plays in drawing out-of-town shoppers to the community.
“Seeing everything so busy is exciting,” Mendenhall said. “Seeing so many different people in town and moving around downtown was a good sight to see. Anything to stimulate the economy and support our local businesses is a good thing.”
Last year, Mendenhall said he was impressed with the turnout, especially because the event had been canceled the prior year because of COVID-19 restrictions.
“After an off year, still being as big, or bigger, than ever is a good sign for the future,” Mendenhall said. “The Chamber did a great job organizing the event.”
Mendenhall emphasized that Girls Night Out is an important economic boost for the entire Pike County community.
“Of course it brings in extra revenue to local businesses, but the city benefits from extra sales tax, “ Mendenhall said. “Any time people come from out of town, the whole city – the whole county benefits. They buy gas. They eat at restaurants. Everybody benefits.”
Participants in GNO may pick up maps and register for prizes at four starting points. Those starting points are Casteel’s, Wright Place Auto Body, Bloomers,and Cell Tech.
Girls Night Out on the Square is a cooperative event between the City of Pittsfield, downtown Pittsfield businesses and the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. During GNO, dozens of Pittsfield businesses will offer specials and drawing from 4-8 p.m. this Thursday, Nov. 3.
