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First Fridays a
good way to “support the town”
By Bob Robinson
GREENVILLE - “The entertainment starts at seven but our First Friday
event starts at six… that gives everyone a chance to do some shopping
and dining downtown. Then they can enjoy the music afterwards,” said
Amber Garrett, Main Street Greenville’s new executive director.
Many of the visitors said they enjoy First Fridays because it’s a good
way to support the town.
Chelsea Westfall of The Coffee Pot said they have a good crowd on First
Fridays, especially when the weather’s nice.
“This is a good idea,” she said. “It gets the community out to see what
we have to offer.”
An A&B Coffee & Cake Company customer, Brittany Force, said she
enjoyed First Fridays, noting it was a “nice thing to do.”
“We go around to the stores, then we end up here. This is a nice place
to be,” she added.
Visitors walking the sidewalks of South Broadway might notice a sign in
front of one of the stores that says “Chocolate Covered Bacon.” Candy
Bouquet owner Annette Billenstein said the sign definitely brings
people in. She noted that in some shops it was called the “muddy pig.”
“If people don’t want to eat it,” she added, “they definitely want to
see it.”
A Candy Bouquet customer, Amanda Hines, wasn’t too sure she wanted to
try it but allowed herself to be persuaded…
She now swears by it.
Greenville Public Library kicked off the day with its First Friday
Lunch on the Lawn. More than 200 people enjoyed the entertainment on
what turned out to be a comfortable day with a soft breeze.
According to Susi Halley, Brenda’s Beanery supplied 150 lunches. All
were sold. Different coffee shops will prepare the food for the
remaining two events in July and August.
“Last year we did one First Friday,” Halley said. “This year we’re
doing three. This one plus July 5 and Aug. 2.”
To some it is a family tradition.
Lisa Zink said she and her family would attend First Fridays even if it
rained, and noted there was one year when the weather was decidedly
uncooperative.
“We were still here,” she said. “I think this is a good way to support
the town.”
When asked if the event was held more often, even two or three times a
month, would she and her family support it? She said definitely yes.
According to Garrett, Main Street Greenville is always looking for
suggestions and willingly considers them, but noted it was not likely
they would be able to add more Friday night events in the foreseeable
future.
Counting 11 First Fridays (every month except January) and 22 Farmer’s
Markets from June 1 to Oct. 12, the non-profit handles or helps with
more than 40 events throughout the year.
Chad Lemons and Tim Yount were the performers at the library. Evening
performers were Ben Crawford at The Coffee Pot, Noah Back at Brenda’s
Beanery, Nobody Special at Montage Café, Nick Good at Bread of Life,
Cinder Home at A&B Coffee & Cake Co., Adam Liette at Merle
Norman, Shannon Clark at The Ivy League, Frohna & Warner at Sweet
Annie’s Cabin and Russell James at Third Street Market.
Published courtesy
of The Early Bird
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