By Jordan Studer
jstuder@wbcowqel.com
Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce Director Deb Pinion has a bit of friendly advice for hometown folks: “See what your downtown really has to offer.” Pinion was speaking of Bucyrus’ very own Sip, Stroll, and Shop event. It’s designed to be a perfect opportunity for the local shops and stores to show the community what they have to offer.
Sip, Stroll, and Shop is an event that takes place every other Thursday evening from 5 to 7 in downtown Bucyrus, before Music at the Mural at 7:30. The community can go downtown and sip wine or beer in Norman’s Niche. They can then stroll through the downtown of Bucyrus and see what’s going on. All the while they can shop at stores such as U Be Dazzled for their great Whale of a Sale going on. Pinion says that the purpose of having Sip, Stroll, and Shop in the area is to give off, “a warm fuzzy for our community.”
This night out on the town in Bucyrus was started last year by Sue Logsdon, owner of U Be Dazzled, and Natalie Norman, owner of Norman’s Niche. They wanted to start something that would, “encourage people to think local, shop local,” Logsdon said. And to do this they wanted to create an event that would encourage the community to come out.
They decided that a great time to have this event would be in conjunction with the free concerts that Bucyrus hosts, known as Music at the Mural. They thought it would be a great way to, “get people to come downtown and see and support this new event,” according to Logsdon.
She also emphasizes, “If you want to keep your local businesses here, and you want to keep them thriving then you need to support them.” She hopes that this event will help get their word out so the community knows that when they need something they don’t need to go all the way to Mansfield to shop. Instead, they have a store right in their own town. During Sip, Stroll, and Shop, extended store hours will give shoppers extra time to explore all that they have to offer.
The stores that are currently involved in Sip, Stroll, and Shop are Norton’s Flowers, Ley’s Jewelry, U Be Dazzled, MB SubCulture, Kennedy Lane Salon, and Norman’s Niche. Other businesses are currently discussing being added to the group’s list. All of the currently involved businesses have been brainstorming their thoughts together. Many additional activities are in the process of being added to expand the event and new ideas are steadily coming out.
This year, children can participate in the Make it, Take it project, where they can make a paper doll to take home with them. Logsdon mentions how they would love to add corn hole, hopscotch, and other activities such as sidewalk chalk all lining the stretch between the stores to increase entertainment.
Each night that is scheduled has a designated theme for the activities. As of right now, July 9 is set to have food tastings and sidewalk sales are going to take place. On July 23, a scavenger hunt is set for children to take a poet, such as William Shakespeare, and go into the businesses to find other cards and clues for the next destination. August 6 is all about fitness. Area fitness businesses are invited to that night to get their word out about their business. Later on, Aug. 20 is going to be “Hobo Days” which will be themed around peace, love, and flowers to involve Norton’s Flowers. Each of these nights are subject to have changes as new ideas roll in.
Future dates for Sip, Stroll, and Shop and Music at the Mural are July 9 and 23, and Aug. 6 and 20.
For more information check out facebook.com/SipStrollShop, or email Sue Logsdon at SipStrollandShop@gmail.com.