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Historic area preps for first Downtown at Sundown
By Liz McGathey, Staff writer
Beginning in August, the Historic Downtown Plano Association (HDPA) will present its inaugural monthly event, Downtown@Sundown. This series of events is part of HDPA’s ongoing efforts to bring awareness to the Downtown Plano area.
Downtown planner Jon Hubach said the HDPA and the city of Plano are ready to get the word out about what Downtown Plano has to offer.
“I think what we have down here in Downtown Plano is something that right now is a secret and it is my job and it is my hope to get the word out,” he said. “The city of Plano knows that this is where Plano started and they want to show the world this is something to be proud of.”
In his letter to downtown merchants, HDPA president Rick Baldelli, owner of Two Brother Cigars on Avenue K, said Hubach has “done more in the last six months to help with all that we previously lacked as a group than anyone in a similar position over the last five years. While he is by no means a magician, Mr. Hubach has been instrumental in working behind the scenes to uncover valuable resources to aid the effort to revive and sustain the process we have all been so desperate to bring to the ‘fore.’”
Downtown@Sundown will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. the second Saturday of each month, beginning Aug. 11 and running through Nov. 10. During the events, patrons can enjoy extended shopping hours for downtown merchants, an art walk, live music, a vendor marketplace, a silent auction and additional special activities. Downtown Plano restaurants will be open for late night dining.
The entertainment stage will be set up in the J Place parking lot with music performances from 5 to 10 p.m. There will be two separate acts playing for 90 minutes with a half-hour break in between. Although the only confirmed act is the Matt Boggs Band for the first event, genres will vary as the series progresses. Hubach said this year’s acts will be limited to local entertainers.
“Next year we’re looking to be more prominent,” Hubach said. “Next year we’ll be able to go after more headline-type acts.”
In The Marketplace, outside merchants and HDPA members will offer services and merchandise including upscale goods, community services, information on businesses and groups, food and finer arts and crafts.
A silent auction will also be included in each month’s event. Tickets will be available at the HDPA’s Hospitality Booth in The Marketplace. A portion of proceeds will support a different local charity each month.
“Every business and groups are welcome to donate products [to auction] so we’re still looking for that,” Hubach said.
Hubach said this year’s Downtown@Sundown series will be a test to see how the public responds and to show the city of Plano what the HDPA is capable of.
“Our goal is to make it so that Downtown Plano is not only something Plano should be proud of but all of North Texas,” he said.
In the past, lack of marketing of downtown has diminished awareness of downtown’s attractions. Hubach said some of the stores in the area have been around 20 years or more, and loyalty to the longstanding merchants has maintained steady traffic. Soon downtown will be at capacity and the aim is to garner even more attention through web, TV and print marketing. He said the HDPA will soon have more presence at events such as the Plano International Festival, the Balloon Festival and the Dickens holiday event.
If the HDPA sees positive results from this year’s Downtown@Sundown, Hubach said they may begin next year’s series in March and again run through October.
It’s not too late to pick up vendor space at the events, but space is juried by the HDPA and approved based on the vendor application. HDPA members who are currently not a part of The Historic Shops on 15th Street are invited to participate in the marketplace with free vendor space. Outside vendors specializing in homemade arts and crafts, food, gourmet foods, manufactured crafts, photography/art and business information are welcome to purchase vendor space.
For vendor information, as well as an application, visit www.visitdowntownplano.com or contact Jon Hubach at 972-941-5260.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
Went there today wrote on Aug 2, 2007 6:36 PM:
" I went to "Downtown Plano" today at lunch. They need to put more restaurants there, plain and simple. I ate at the Italian restaurant for lunch today. I had their "classic" sandwich and soup. The food was excellent, though the sandwich could use a bit more meat on it. Free parking is great. There isn't much there, really. If you build it, they will come. Marketing nothing isn't going to work. "
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