It should come as little shock to many that the ongoing construction work along North Third Avenue is having a great impact on downtown businesses as a whole. While some might suggest there was plenty of advance notice and time for businesses to prepare, business owner Traci Codde might beg to differ.
The owner and downtown merchant of Momma’s Closet on North First, however, has chosen not to sit idly; she along with neighboring business Last Call Brewery have chosen to be proactive.
This Saturday, July 23, Momma’s Closet and Last Call Brewery will host a “Summer Evening Vendor Faire.” The event will be staged on North First from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A total of 35 vendors have committed to attend as well as the neighboring businesses along North First that will be open. A variety of vendors including food, crafts and the like are slated to attend.
“We did our first one last September and then we did Downtown Christmas,” Codde said of closing the street and hosting a Street Faire.
She added having another one now, actively encouraging shoppers to visit the downtown area, is much needed, as businesses are seeing tough times.
“It’s not just Third Street (Avenue), all of us are. All of our businesses. We’re all feeling it,” she said.
The business owner stated her thought of hosting the summer event and bringing everyone together will hopefully be an effective way to let people know everyone is still very much open for business.
“It’s just something I’m trying to do, to bring some business downtown,” she stated. “Last Call has arranged for a live band to be here. We’ll be doing some raffles.”
Of the raffle items offered, one will include a dining room set donated by the business owner. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the event.
Codde indicated the past two years have been tough on downtown merchants due to COVID, First Avenue construction and now the closure of Third Avenue between E and F streets.
“We’ve been through a lot the past two years,” she said.
The event organizer shared she felt people passing by on F Street and seeing the construction often assume that downtown is closed.
“That’s not the case. We are all up and running. We are all trying to survive this,” she said, adding that everyone has been affected and the importance of the business owners sticking together and doing what they can to get through it.
“I don’t think you could ever be prepared enough,” she said in response to knowing of construction well in advance. “Especially if you have a business that you’re depending on as an income. It really put a huge damper on sales.”
A typical Saturday no longer has the allure of drawing out-of-town visitors amidst all the construction. A fact which is not only valid, but seems obvious even to the passer by.
“What is happening on Third is detouring a lot of people from out of town coming to downtown,” she said, adding it’s important to let those in the Oakdale community and surrounding communities know they are there and open for business.
“We’re doing this function to bring people out,” she stated of the Saturday Street Faire. “Bring your family. Have an awesome dinner. Enjoy the music, stroll what’s going on out here.”
