Summer 2nd Saturday Weekend : Business Planning

Summer is almost here! The nice weather brings many events and guests to Downtown Manchester!

As members of the Downtown Manchester Special Services District, our businesses all have the opportunity to support and benefit from the many events hosted downtown! The District's role is to help coordinate these joint efforts and to amplify the message of our businesses. Please read the information below about how your business can participate.

2nd Saturday Weekends
Goal: To Make 2nd Saturday Weekends (Sat. & Sun.) a time to visit Downtown Manchester.

How: Creating a predictable calendar of activities that establishes Downtown Manchester as the place to visit to shop, eat, and enjoy art and music - and more!

Participating Businesses: We are seeking businesses that will commit to being a monthly participating business. We will be creating and publishing a guide to 2nd Saturday Weekend that will be available all summer long. These predictable events will be referenced on this guide. Additional month-by-month events will be added to the online resources which will be referenced on the guide.

Ideas: Monthly BOGO or 10% discount offer;  monthly special menu item or specialty drink that is unveiled or available for one day only;  monthly workshop or class or collaboration with another business; monthly pop-up shop, monthly live music or author visit or photo shoot!  Whatever you plan should be something that fits your business model and culture. Consider the activities you already do, and plan to do them on that weekend - Saturday or Sunday.

The details and hours of your offer are up to you! We simply ask that they happen at the same time each month so that our publication does not need to be updated.

May 11th: Butterfly Stroll Kicks Off the Summer!
We begin with the 2nd Saturday in May! 

Goal: Kick off our Summer 2nd Saturday Weekends!

How: Coordinating a variety of fun activities that attract people of all ages and interests.

What: 

• Downtown Butterfly Stroll featuring outdoor butterfly displays & a Build a Bouquet activity.
• Activities hosted by Downtown Businesses (activities, pop-ups, menu items and more!)
• The Market at 1115 Main

Business Participation Opportunities:

• Insert Your Idea Here! Host a pop-up, live music, guest, class, workshop, sale, face painting, kids craft or special menu item! Need an idea? We can help - just ask! REGISTER BY APRIL 3rd
• Non-Storefront Option: If you are a Downtown business without a street-level presence, you can still participate. If you would like to host a booth or activity on Main Street, we can help! Additionally, The Market at 1115 Main is happy to offer free space to a Downtown business that is willing to offer free face painting or a free craft.
• Build a Bouquet Business Stops: We are seeking a total of 5 businesses to be a part of our Build a Bouquet portion of the Butterfly Stroll. Businesses will contribute $25 towards the cost of the activity and commit to having staff (or volunteers) available to oversee the activity at the stop. We will be purchasing and providing the flowers. The staff will welcome guests, oversee the guests trimming stems if needed, and ensuring guests take only one stem per business. If you would like to be considered as one of these businesses, please let us know right away. We only have space for 5.

We are short on time -so don't delay! Complete the form below right away to let us know how you would like to participate! reach out to jpress@manchesterct.gov with questions.