Girls Night Out: Annual DDA event offers shopping, after party

IRON MOUNTAIN -- While the hunters are away, ladies can "Shop, Browse, Sip and Dine" on Thursday at the annual Girls Night Out in Iron Mountain.

The event, coordinated by the Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority, will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. throughout the downtown and surrounding area.

Participating businesses will offer different specials as well as extended hours.

"The businesses had the choice of running their specials for one night only or for the entire week," DDA Director Mindy Meyers said. "All those details will be posted on the GNO catalog."

Participating businesses include American Association of University Women, Lift Women UP Chapter of ABWA, Schroeder Administrative Solutions, Flowerland Greenhouse, Charmaine's Beauty Bar, Erickson Jewelers, Perennial Gardens/Extraordinary Interiors, Astral Compass Tattoo and Art Gallery, Lydia's by Crock and Rocker, Izzy B Boutique, The Man Cave, Mayme's Bar, Eden Property Collection, Linnea & Kristine, O.M.GIGI Boutique, CWRK Collective, The Studios at CWRK, Mountain Media House, Mindy!, Echo Boutique, The Real Heal, Simple Treasures, Carlos Cantina, BK Enterprises -- The Engraving Store, Nic's Boutique, Rejuvenate Salon, Lume Cannabis Co., Advanta Print, Hello Again, Exhale 906, Verde Refillery, Blends the Green Spot, Blackstone Pizza, Mully & Mo's, Brick+Mortar, The Good Earth Salon, Venue 906, Dulce Nulla Gourmet Desserts, Dickinson County Friends of the Library, Salon 323, 41 Lumber, and Grayson & Co. Jewelers.

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

Meyers also noted that they have several businesses taking part that are outside the downtown area, so everyone is encouraged to go to the website.

"This is a great time to get early Christmas shopping done and enjoy the evening with other women," DDA Event Coordinator Kenzie Williamsen said.

In conjunction with Girls Night Out, the Iron Mountain Public Arts Advisory Committee will host the first Iron Mountain Downtown Art Crawl, which will run through Friday.

Several businesses will showcase local artist's work. The GNO map will also indicate where art is being displayed.

"We feel art really enriches our downtown and hope that connection continues to grow in the future," Meyers said.

Girls Night Out will wrap up the evening with a celebration from 7 to 10 p.m. at Sol Blu Lounge in Iron Mountain. The Eagle River, Wis., duo Soul Child, featuring Carolyn Weber and Mark Hovel, will provide entertainment for the night.

"They perform a variety of music by female vocalists," Williamsen said. "We are really excited to have them -- I think everyone is going to love them as much as we do."

The first 50 women to come through the door will receive a free swag bag, filled with many items donated by Flowerland, Rejuvenate, Carlos Cantina, The Man Cave, Blackstone Pizza, Blomquist Architects, Erickson Jewelers, Charmaine's Beauty Bar, Echo Boutique, Dulce Nulla Gourmet Desserts, Dickinson County Library, BK Enterprises and Lume Cannabis Co.

Participants will also be treated to speciality cocktail, desserts and charcuterie.

"Thanks to our sponsors we are able to provide free music, fun swag bags, a sangria drink, appetizers and a dessert," Meyers said.

"We had such a big turnout at the after party last year, and looking forward to an even better one this year," Williamsen added.

Sponsors include: Bijou Lovely, signature; Lume Cannabis Co., music; CWRK Collective and Mountain Media House, charcuterie; and Superior Title and O.M.GIGI, venue and wine.

The DDA has also planned a silent auction with several raffle baskets up for bids at the after party. Silent auction winners will be announced next week.

"We hope to raise more funds to do more with GNO in the future," Meyers said. "This is our second year of growing the event, and we have already set some goals for next year."

The DDA has brought back the "Shopping Cards" as well. Shoppers can pick up the cards at any downtown participating businesses. After making a purchase, businesses will mark the back of the card. Filled cards will be entered in a raffle for a downtown gift basket.

Filled cards can be dropped off by 4 p.m. Thursday in the box outside City Hall or by bringing them to the after party. Customers should write their name and telephone number on the card so they can be contacted.

"What we are really excited about for Girls Night Out is we are not only getting people downtown shopping and supporting our businesses, we are creating a women's-centered event," Meyers said. "This gives them an opportunity to network with each other, build friendships and really build up women-owned businesses."

She added, "Shows when we bring a lot of women together we do incredible things."