Forest Avenue, Ann Arbor Trail Merchants Launch Late-Night Shopping Event

Downtown Plymouth merchants are banding together to draw more customers to the area.

On Thursday, businesses on Forest Avenue and Ann Arbor Trail their first Third Thursday event. For the next three months, on every third Thursday, 27 shops, boutiques and restaurants will stay open late offering perks such as street performers, a disc jockey, in-store activities, preferred evening prices and drink specials. 

"The Forest Avenue merchants have been meeting for awhile, trying to make it more attractive to shop downtown and everything," Jill Young said. "We've been toying with an idea of a late night and most of the businesses seem to be open late on Thursdays. And we've noticed that a lot of the other cities in Southeastern Michigan do something, some have First Fridays, so we came up with Third Thursdays."

Young, the owner of Jill Andra Young Photography, said the concept is on a trial basis for three months to see if it works. 

"Businesses will do something special, but not necessarily a sale," Young said about Third Thursdays. "Someone may highlight a product line, some may serve hors d'oeuvres, it all depends on individual businesses."

Young will be offering a 50 percent off coupon for both a sitting and a package while Home Sweet Home will give away $10 coupons every hour from 4:40-8:30 p.m.

The DJ will be set up on the roof of E.G. Nick's, unless inclement weather forces them to set up on the outdoor patio instead, Young said.  

Third Thursdays will run from 4-9 p.m. on July 18, Aug. 15 and Sept. 19. 

Participating businesses include:

• Delta Diamond, 895 W. Ann Arbor Trl.
• Edible Arrangements, 873 W. Ann Arbor Trl.
• Bella Mia Dressed Up, 853 W. Ann Arbor Trl.
• Panache 447, 447 Forest Ave.
• Old World Olive Press, 467 Forest Ave.
• Sideway's Inc., 505 Forest Ave.
• Hands on Leather, 525 Forest Ave.
• Magnolia A Fresh Flower Market, 551 Forest Ave.
• Simply the Best Boutique, 577 Forest Ave.
• Merle Norman Cosmetics, 595 Forest Ave.
• Kelly Dobson Photography, 580 Forest Ave. Ste. 3
• Lena Porter, Personal Wardrobe Stylist, 550 Forest Ave.
• Lolaryan, 550 Forest Ave.
• Basket Kreations, 550 Forest Ave #10
• Genuine Toy Co., 550 Forest Ave #8
• Three Dog Bakery, 550 Forest Ave. #7
• E.G. Nick's, 500 Forest Ave.
• Avenue Market, 472 Forest Ave.
• Opndohr, 470 Forest Ave #1
• Jill Andra Young Photography, 502 Forest Ave.
• Bed & Boutique, 470 Forest #18
• Gigi's Mode, 960 Ann Arbor Trl.
• Candy Trail, 942 W. Ann Arbor Trl.
• Creatopia Pottery, 924 W. Ann Arbor Trl.
• TranquiliTea, 904 W. Ann Arbor Trl.
• Home Sweet Home, 852 W. Ann Arbor Trl.
• Sun & Snow, 388 S. Main St.