IRON MOUNTAIN DOWNTOWN Development Authority Program Director Mindy Wittock and DDA Events Coordinator Tania Mishra prepare raffle baskets for the Girls’ Night Out after-party Thursday at Sol Blu Lounge in Iron Mountain. The first 50 women to arrive after 7 p.m. will receive a swag bag sponsored by area businesses. This year’s Girls Night Out, coordinated by the DDA, will take place Monday through Thursday. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — “Shop, Browse, Sip and Dine” is the theme for the annual Girls’ Night Out next week in Iron Mountain.

The event, coordinated by the Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority, actually will take place Monday through Thursday, with businesses setting their own days and hours to participate.

The DDA surveyed local businesses on what they wanted for this year’s GNO. “We had a mixed reaction — from one night to week-long — so we took that and decided on a four-day event,” said Mindy Wittock, Iron Mountain Development Authority program director. “We wanted to give the businesses flexibility and the opportunity to figure out what works best for them.”

The extended days also allow customers to have more time at each shop, without overcrowding the smaller businesses, DDA Events Coordinator Tania Mishra noted.

Each business has different specials as well as extended hours, Wittock said, adding, “these are all highlighted on the DDA social media accounts.”

The event has grown to include businesses outside the downtown area, Wittock said. “We have had a great response, including having our sponsorships fill up pretty quickly,” she said.

Participating businesses include 41 Lumber, Buckaroos and Ballerinas, Bijou Lovely, B.K. Enterprises, Blends The Green Spot, Brick + Mortar, Contrast Coffee, Cloots and Swanson, Charmaine’s Beauty Bar, Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce, Denim Heart, Dulce Nulla Gourmet Desserts, Echo Boutique, Erickson Jewelers, Extraordinary Interiors, Flowerland Greenhouse, Grayson & Co. Jewelers, Izzy B Boutique, Lydia’s, Lume, Maurice’s, Mayme’s, Moose Jackson Cafe, Mully & Mo’s, Pepper Jam Yoga, Pine Mountain Resort, Oasis Salon MCX, O.M. GiGi Boutique, Rodan+Fields, Sol Blu Lounge, Spiro’s Downtown Restaurant, Tessa Avenue, The Good Earth Saloon, The Wellness Way Iron Mountain, The Wishing Well and Upper Peninsula Audiology.

Shoppers can go to the DDA’s website at www.downtownironmountain.com/gno for an updated list of hours and specials for each businesses during the week. Maps are available on the website as well.

GNO will wrap up with a celebration from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday at Sol Blu Lounge in Iron Mountain.

“This is something we are introducing new this year,” Mishra said. “The objective is essentially to be able to get women in our community to connect and network with each other.”

The first 50 women to arrive after 7 p.m. will receive a swag bag. “The swag bags are sponsored by local businesses and filled with all kinds of really fun things,” Wittock said.

Jenna Hufford from Rebel Jane will perform all-female music from 7 to 10 p.m. Participants will also be treated to speciality cocktail, desserts and charcuterie.

Drawings for the silent auction will take place at the party.

The DDA received contributions from other businesses for the auction baskets.

“We wanted Girls Night Out not only to be about supporting our local businesses and giving Yooper women the shopping experiences they have come expect in Iron Mountain when the men go hunting, but to lift up our community and built upon friendships and networking with the after-party event,” Wittock said.

Shoppers can pick up “Shopping Cards” at any downtown participating businesses after Monday. After making a purchase, businesses will initial the back of the card. Filled cards will be entered in a raffle, with the winner drawn at the party. Filled cards can be dropped off by 4 p.m. Thursday in the box outside City Hall. Customers should write their name and telephone number on the card so they can be contacted if not at the after party.

Another change introduced this year is all of the sponsors are female-owned businesses.

“Really nice to see women come together to support other women,” Mishra said. “They have stepped up to donate, sponsor or volunteer.”

Sponsors include: music, Leeds Real Estate; food, Upper Peninsula Audiology; venue, Denim Heart; dessert, Bijou Lovely; and swag bag sponsors Charmaine’s Beauty Bar, BK Enterprises, Rejuvenate Salon, Grayson & Co. Jewelers, O.M. GiGi Boutique, Rodan+Fields, Results Broadcasting Radio, Denim Heart, Flowerland Greenhouse, Spiro’s, CWORK Collective and Echo Boutique.

“The event is a time to elevate and showcase our local businesses,” Mishra said. “We are so thankful for our sponsors — without them, we wouldn’t be able to offer a different experience this year.”

Added Wittock, “We are excited and looking forward to seeing everyone — it’s going to be fun.”