GREENFIELD — It’s a party on the block, and the whole city of Greenfield is invited.
Downtown businesses are gearing up for their second-annual North Street Block Party Friday, the same evening as the Greenfield Chamber of Commerce Chocolate Walk, said April Wright-Roberts, party host and owner of Salon De’ Elegance. This year’s event will see food, music, entertainment and almost three times as many vendors as last year, she said.
Nearly 30 vendors will set up stations along North Street to sell products and promote their businesses. There will also be a DJ and a live performance from the Ricochet Cloggers Dance Studio, Wright-Roberts said.
The block party is all about celebrating local entrepreneurship by encouraging Greenfield locals to get downtown and support its various boutiques and restaurants, Wright-Roberts said. There is often a struggle for small business owners to keep up with the flow of a modern economy, and events like these give the public the push they need to keep their doors open, she said.
In addition to the networking opportunity and public exposure, some participants in the block party also saw an immediate boost in business, they said. Last year, one boutique set a record in sales, Wright-Roberts said.
Karen Maslek of Audree’s Floral Designs said last year was a great chance to touch base with people around the block, both old patrons of her shop and new ones.
Collaborating and networking in a tight-knit community like Greenfield is necessary for small business survival, Maslek said.
If you don’t work with your neighbors, you might as well not be in business, she said.
“If you’re not going to be friendly with one another, there’s no point,” Maslek said.
While the ladies at Andree’s Floral Designs hand out carnations, passerby will be able to catch a sale among the dozens of boutiques’ booths or enjoy a pint courtesy of the Wooden Bear Brewery.
The Nutty Mutt plans to make it a fun experience for pets, too, said owner Becky Teeguarden, who plans to hand out dog treat samples while offering specials on food and other pet products.
Nights like these are about utilizing the whole community to help keep business local, Wright-Roberts said. Downtown businesses have to stick together, she said.
“I’m thrilled that we get to do this again,” Wright-Roberts said. “We’re all just trying to support each other. The city has recently really been encouraging people to keep us open so we can all prosper; both the public and us.”
North Street will be closed for the event as vendors set up shop between State Road 9 to Pennsylvania Street from 6-8 p.m. Friday.
