“When people think of downtown, they often immediately think of all the cute and welcoming storefronts and restaurants where they shop and dine, and downtown is made up of so many more small businesses that don’t fit into the category of traditional retail,” said Kingsli Kraft, marketing and outreach coordinator at the Alpena DDA. “Downtown is home to over 170 small businesses of all types — photography studios, hair salons, chiropractor’s offices, nonprofits, lawyer’s offices, financial services, fitness studios and so many more types of small businesses.

Kraft continued, “We wanted to host a different type of event that allowed non-traditional retail businesses to participate in whatever way best suits their business.”

There are a variety of ways for community members to celebrate with our small businesses over the course of the week. Throughout the week, customers can enter to win a collaborative downtown prize basket featuring prizes from more than 10 downtown businesses at any of the following participating locations: Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce, Olivet Book & Gift, Great Lakes Divers, Alpena Salt Spa, Family Enterprise, Soaps and Such, Myers’ Fashions Etc., Emery Enterprises, The Bluebird Boutique, Red Brick Tap & Barrel, The Rabbit Hole, Rusty Petunias Marketplace, Alpena Furniture & Flooring, Parallel 45 Books & Gifts, United Way of Northeast Michigan, Classic Designs By Doreen Thomas, and Traveling Ladders.

Customers can also learn more about many of the different small businesses downtown via Downtown Alpena’s Facebook page where they will be spotlighting a few different businesses each day over the course of the week.

News File Photo People walk in downtown Alpena in this April 2021 News file photo.

Then from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 8, businesses will be open and hosting sales, specials and other promotions. Some businesses and organizations that are not normally open on Saturdays, like United Way of Northeast Michigan and Family Enterprise, will be open, and community members will have a chance to connect with downtown businesses they may not normally visit.

“The goal of this event was to celebrate and recognize all the different types of businesses in our downtown, including ones that people may not be as familiar with,” said Anne Gentry, DDA executive director. “A diversity of businesses is a great indicator of the health and strength of a downtown, and we are so lucky to have so many different businesses located within our district that make it a great place to live, work, and visit.”

You can find the most up-to date information in the Small Business Showcase Facebook event.