The Sip, Shop, and Stroll event downtown last Thursday was a great kick off to the 2023 'shop small downtown' initiative.

Huge thank you to all who came out to support the downtown shops and restaurants last Thursday night for the first Sip, Shop, and Stroll event of 2023. Boutiques stayed open late and pop-up vendors were hosted in several downtown business spaces for attendees to shop with.

Thank you to the community who came out to support this event and shop downtown on March 16 for the first Sip, Shop, and Stroll downtown.  Special business sponsors of this year's S.S.S. events are Compass Insurance Group and The Preserve Murfreesboro.  

These nighttime shopping events give our locally owned boutiques a boost in the year for sales and exposure to new customers.  It also provides a fun environment for the community to stroll around the downtown and see what new stores are open.  Many businesses host pop up vendors in their spaces to give exposure to new entrepreneurs.  

Who needs an excuse to come out and stroll the downtown in the Spring?  The first Sip, Shop, and Stroll event was a great reason to grab some friends and see what the stores had in stock for the Spring season while grabbing some food at one of the many downtown eateries.  Whether you came early to shop and sip or waited until after dining at a local restaurant there were many places to venture in on that beautiful night downtown. 

Several downtown boutique owners commented on increased sales over 2022's Sip, Shop, and Stroll in the Spring.  "We are very thankful for the community supporting our small business," said Judy Goldie as she had a packed store during the event.  

Michael Busey, a downtown State Farm agent located on Maple Street, opened his business for the first time during the event to host a local jewelry vendor.  "Known Clay Designs" sold her jewelry and "Boards by Taylor" made charcuterie cups to serve to guests stopping by.  "It was a fun night for us supporting our community and our friend, a local vendor.  We conducted several insurance conversations during the night.  My goal is to participate in these future events and get more (service oriented) businesses on the square to open up for small vendors as well," Busey shared.

New downtown manager of Square Wheels Co-Working space and Square Pop Shop on Maple Street shared, "The Spring Sip, Shop and Stroll was our first event to be a part of as a new business opening up in 2023.  We are so excited to get to be a part of the Main Street Murfreesboro Family and knew this event would be the perfect way for us to connect with other local shops as well as the amazing community in Murfreesboro.  We were thrilled to have the local female artist Nancy Prescott play in the store during our event.  We had a total of 150 people walk through our doors.  We are definitely putting the rest of the 2023 Sip, Shop, and Stroll events on our calendar!"