“Second Wednesdays in Union Square” Begins April 9

to Attract Shoppers and Diners to Union Square Businesses

Union Square is the hot spot to visit on the Second Wednesday of each month between 5 and 8 pm.  Those who work in the Square will soon have reasons to linger and those who live here will hurry home to meet with friends, shop and participate in the various happenings. 

“Second Wednesdays in Union Square” follows a model that’s found success in other communities as the collective of small activities and promotion by area merchants build upon each other to attract more activity for the neighborhood as a whole.  Retail shops are asked to remain open until 8 pm and nightspots are asked to gear up earlier, creating the “critical mass” of pedestrian-oriented attractions for visitors.  Activities that might otherwise contribute little impact on their own like holiday tree lightings, ribbon cuttings for new businesses, and walking tours will be coordinated to support shopping and dining in Union Square.  In warmer months, to increase attendance and attract passersby, outdoor activities such as musical performances will be scheduled for the plaza or other nooks in Union Square.

To encourage visitors, participating storefronts will be marked with balloons. Programs of what’s happening where will be distributed to these businesses as well as through the Union Square Main Streets website and e-mail newsletter. Press releases will be sent to local newspapers.

Why should businesses participate? Within walking distance of Union Square there are 4,336 residents who spend $36 million each year on retail purchases.  ICSC reports that 70% of retail purchases are made after 4:30 pm.  We want to help you to harness those sales at your business. Efforts like the Saturday Farmers Market and ArtsUnion festivals have increased gross sales for Union Square merchants during the summer months. This model we expect will increase sales into throughout the year. It will take some time to build momentum so we’re asking businesses to try this effort for six Second Wednesdays towards making this experiment work. 

The focus of activity is from 5 pm to 8 pm on April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, and August 13, and September 10.  If successful, we plan to continue the effort as a regular activity.

Some ideas for retail businesses:

-     remain open until 8 pm

-         invite a vendor or other business to host a tasting, perhaps a chocolate tasting, samples of unfamiliar cheeses that you generally carry, etc.

-         create a display to highlight a particular item you carry that would attract attention, maybe a new line of swimwear with summer coming up, the new comic book release, etc.

-         allow visitors to your business to enter a raffle for some product or service at a later date

-         promote the late opening to your customers through an e-mail, mailing or poster

-         host an event related to your business like a cooking demonstration, visit by a author or craft vendor

Some ideas for restaurants, pubs and cafes:

-         book live performances for between 5 and 8 pm during this time

-         if you have a rotating art display, host the openings during Second Wednesdays

-         offer snacks to nibble on at the bar or a free dessert with dinner

-     invite a vendor to host a tasting, perhaps wine or cheese or specialty liquor

As part of the launch of Second Wednesdays on April 9^th Mayor Curtatone will be in Union Square between 6 and 7 pm to do ribbon cuttings for the businesses that have recently opened in Union Square.  Local press has been invited. The Mayor will visit the following businesses (likely in this order)

Machu Picchu Charcoal Chicken and Grill

Dogma and Catma Too

Grand

Jimbo’s Roast Beef and Seafood

Hub Comics

Grace Salon

Elegant Salon

Cantina La Mexicana

Please contact Mimi Graney at Union Square Main Streets with activities happening at your business that you’d like to promote and with ideas and questions.

Mimi Graney    mimi@unionsquaremain.org      617-623-1392 x119