The heat of August kicked in on Saturday and Downtown Howe was rockin’ with a block party with a theme of “Back to School Blues, pt 2.” The event was the creation of Keep Howe Beautiful and the Howe Area Chamber of Commerce who partnered with each downtown business to promote local commerce.
The City of Howe’s 2010 Comprehensive Plan included the need for a “Shop Local” program and last year’s initial block party saw downtown businesses have recordsetting sales nights. This year’s event was very similar as the restaurants were flowing with a constant river of patrons in and out of each downtown business. Salvage Junky, located just outside of downtown at 200 S. Denny Street also had a big night as many people made the oneblock walk to her location where there were numerous items outside as owner Debbie Wallis had three vendors on her lot.
“I was busy with a constant flow of people until after 9pm.” said Wallis. “People didn’t seem to mind walking over.”
Howe Mercantile also saw people in and out of the newest downtown antique store. Owner Georgia Caraway had numerous items that were discounted and the sale item dollars are going towards to the reconstruction of the old church.
“It was a really fun way to meet more folks from Howe and surrounding communities.” said Caraway. “One person said that we need to do this every month.”
Lilly Avila, owner of Abby’s Restaurant, was also championing for the event to be more frequent. The restaurant did very well despite the day starting with the air-conditioner going out. She had to immediately get it fixed in time of the big bock party.
Making an appearance again in Downtown Howe was The Bill Boyd Band, who were at the initial Back to School Blues Block Party in 2014. Their electric Fender-style of rock and blues filled the downtown area with a tremendous backdrop of a good ol’ summer bash.
“The success of events such as these are tricky.” said Monte Walker, Director of Economic Development. “From the outside-in-the-streets perspective, it wasn’t overly packed, but inside each store was; and that’s the main goal from the local economic stimulator point of view.”
Another big function that these events serve is the memories it creates with the children, which plays a big role in the long-term investment of Howe.
“Years from now when these kids are graduating from college and starting a family, they’ll want to raise their kids in a community that holds something special to their own heart. They want their kids to be in a safe and fun place.” Walker said. “The memories that these block parties create for our own youth are worth substantially more than what we sometimes realize.”
Two new businesses are expected to open in the next 30 days in downtown. TLD Designs, LLC will move their 12 employees into the 103 E. Haning Street building, most recently occupied by Designer Cuts. Also, Texas Home Emporium will open soon next to Howe Mercantile in 109, 1/2 Haning St.
With the merchants wanting more of these to happen more frequently, Walker will visit with each downtown business to see if they have interest in forming some a downtown coalition where they could collectively join hands and funds to bring these shop local programs on a steady basis.
The band was paid for by all of the downtown businesses including Salvage Junky, My Estrella Mexican Restaurant, Abby’s Restaurant, Howe Enterprise, TLDDesigns, LLC, Advantage Business Machines, Howe Mercantile and Don’s Smokehouse.
The next major downtown event is scheduled for November 7 with a live auction on O’Connell Street in which all proceeds will to towards the reconstruction of the old church.
