TRAVERSE CITY - Holiday shopping is underway and stores in downtown Traverse City are helping shoppers check names off their lists.
“What do ladies like to do? we like to shop and, get together with girlfriends. so, this is what kind of night it is,” says Robin Bennett, owner of Sunglass Shop - Unique Optics.
Thursday was the annual ladies night in downtown Traverse City. The event is all about supporting the local downtown businesses and getting everyone together before the holidays.
“It’s just really cool to see everybody walking around, Northern Michigan, I don’t think people are very fazed with the snow. It didn’t stop many people from coming out and parking was a real thing. So, trying to find a spot, I was surprised at how many people are down here. So, it’s really fun,” says shopper Kristin Dara.
Ladies night is a tradition that has been going on since 1949 in downtown Traverse City.
“I think everybody just is so excited at the beginning of the holiday season. Like, ladies night starts the beginning of. December. So, we’re just all fired up for it. And this weather is perfect. And, the stores are awesome with the snacks and the drinks, and the energy is just awesome,” shares holiday shopper Michele Cerny.
Stores stay open late and welcome in shoppers with refreshments and deals to get people ready for their holiday gift giving, Sunglass Shop - Unique Optics is keeping their deals all month long.
“We are doing a $200 special through the end of the year. So, you get $200 off your frame with, our lenses. So, we do a lot of prescription. We’ve got $150 gift certificate towards any Maui Jim prescription. We have gift certificates towards most of our products, throughout the store, which is a lot of Maui Jim, Ray-Ban, and a lot of optical, a lot of optical frames,” explains Bennett.
Bennett is always excited for the ladies night and encourages others to head to local businesses for your gifts.
“Shop a store with a door and then you can get some great customer service. You know, things online, especially, where it’s not fit to you, which we do a lot of fittings. You know, we do a lot of measurements with eyewear. Famous sunglasses. We fit all the glasses to you so you don’t get that with an online purchase,” shares Bennett.
Next week, downtown Traverse City will host a men’s night.
