Even when the sun goes down, the energy will be building in downtown Franklin this Friday.
For years, businesses and leaders have fostered a unique shopping experience that draws visitors from throughout the state and beyond. Shoppers poke around clothing boutiques, vintage stores, home decor shops and more. Eateries are packed, while a steady stream of customers cycle through the coffee shops and cafes.
But many of those businesses close in early evening.
“As the Franklin economy has grown, and we have so many wonderful downtown shops now, there is a lack of evening retail shopping,” said Danny Causey, executive director of Discover Downtown Franklin.
A reimagined campaign hopes to showcase what the business community can do with longer hours. Discover Downtown Franklin, working with local business owners, tourism officials and the Franklin Development Corporation, unveil a revamped “Shop the Blocks — First Fridays Open Late” event on Friday.
More than 30 boutiques, home decor shops, eateries and more will push back their closing time, offering customers a unique retail experience with special deals and other enticements.
Participating stores will stay open at least until 8 p.m., while live musicians perform in three locations throughout downtown. Future First Fridays will feature artists and demonstrations to add to the ambiance.
“For the economy as a whole, this will have a big impact. If folks are coming into town to go shopping, especially people who haven’t been to Franklin before, they’re going to see that we have more than 100 small businesses. They’re going to go to the Artcraft Theatre, they’re going to eat in the restaurants,” Causey said. “And they’re going to see that we’re a world-class small city.”
Shop the Blocks is part of a larger effort by the downtown business community to fully realize the unique nature of Franklin. Oftentimes throughout the year, businesses will band together to spark sales and reach new customers through events such as the Holiday Open House and Shop Small Saturday.
A handful of like-minded shops have also tried to pick one night each month to extend their hours and reach new customers. The effort had been spearheaded by Christina Fletcher, owner of Possibilities: Home Re-Imagined.
“Our extended evening shopping hours offer a convenient way for everyone to visit us, no matter how packed their schedules might be,” Fletcher said.
The necessity of offering extended hours became much more clear in 2023. Festival County Indiana had brought in an international expert in small communities named Roger Brooks from the Destination Development Association, who visited communities throughout Johnson County and then presented ideas they could pursue to draw more people in and better serve local residents.
“One of his main points is that downtowns need to be open late, especially on Friday or Saturday nights. This provides a better experience for customers, both locals and tourists, and greatly increases sales for the stores,” said Kenneth Kosky, executive director of Festival Country Indiana, the county’s tourism organization.
To coordinate an extended-hour shopping experience, Discover Downtown Franklin offered to take what Fletcher had established and build upon it. Fletcher thought it would be positive for all downtown businesses.
“We’re excited to enhance the shopping experience with (Discover Downtown Franklin) leading the charge, turning our monthly event into a cultural highlight,” she said. “Expect live music to fill the air each evening, setting a lively backdrop for our guests. We’re also in discussions about adding an art walk and other engaging activities for the community, promising more than just a shopping trip.”
With $20,000 in grants from Festival Country Indiana and the Franklin Development Corporation, Discover Downtown Franklin leaders envisioned ways they could grow Shop the Blocks.
The extended hours will be held on the first Friday of each month. Grant money has gone toward hiring three musicians each month to perform throughout downtown, adding to the atmosphere throughout the evening.
“Festival Country Indiana is providing much of the funding to publicize Shop the Blocks, pay for musicians, and beautify more sections of the downtown because this will help Franklin take the next step and cement its spot as one of the best downtowns in Indiana,” Kosky said.
For March, those performers include the Super Chief Duo Band, Beautiful Ammunition and Adam O’Connor of Moon Daisy.
Organizers are also reaching out to arts groups to take part.
“We’d love to see some artists painting on the street and doing fun things like that,” Causey said.
But the key is the participating businesses. Causey has commitments from 31 Franklin shops and eateries to take part — places that normally aren’t open in the evening.
They’ve asked businesses to get creative with their offerings and activities for the night, to increase the festive spirit of Shop the Blocks.
For Main & Madison Market Cafe, their idea is to offer charcuterie and cocktails. Visitors can order custom cheese boards for two or four people, as well as hand-crafted cocktails, local beers and wine.
A Trophy Business plans to feature new items, including eclipse t-shirts. Moxy will offer special promotions on items such as candles and long-sleeve shirts. The Local Grind will have a special deal on its signature Magical Melting Dessert Ball.
Fletcher plans to feature a tasting bar featuring freshly-baked beer bread and a tarot card reader offering insights from 6 to 10 p.m on Friday. Possibilities is teaming up with Norma Jean’s Bakery, which is moving into the shop this week, to add a delicious dimension to their offerings, Fletcher said.
Friday also marks the second “Gotcha Day” for Juliet, the shop dog. In celebration, they’ll be hosting a donation drive for Pet Elves.
“Juliet’s adoring fans can drop off supplies, food, and monetary donations both Friday and Saturday during business hours,” Fletcher said.
Excitement is building for this Friday’s debut event, Causey said. Not only are area residents talking about First Fridays, but business owners are eagerly anticipating it as well.
“Over the years, programs like this have been tried. But I think our business community is ready for it now. There’s some excitement in the air,” Causey said. “The businesses are doing well, but this would take them to that next level. We don’t want them just to do well, we want them to thrive.”
IF YOU GO
Shop the Blocks — First Fridays Open Late
What: A unique shopping experience featuring more than 30 businesses staying open late and extending their hours the first Friday of each month. Live music and other performance will also be included.
When: Starting Friday
Where: Downtown Franklin
Participating businesses: 1823 Bakehouse, A Trophy Business, At Home With Heartland, Benjamin’s Coffeehouse & Bakeshop, Brick Street Boutique, BYTAVI, Eclectic Jade, Farm Girl Mercantile, Festival Country Visitor’s Center, Frank’s Guitar, Franklin Jewelers, FrenChic, Hoosier Cupboard Candy, Snacks, and Ice Cream, Johnson County Museum of History, Madison Street Salvage, Main & Madison Market Café, Middle David’s Candles, Millie’s Ice Cream Co., Moxy, Possibilities: Home Re-Imagined, Salvage Sisters, Small Town Girl Boutique, Thanks for the Thyme, The Grove Botany Boutique, The Knitting Otter, The Local Grind, Toodleydoo Toys, Upstairs Basement, Vintage Whimsy, Wardrobe Sisters Consignment Boutique and Wild Geese Book Shop.
