First Friday relaunches

The once-a-month event, now organized by the Olympia Downtown Association, sees downtown retailers stay open late to generate interest in downtown and downtown shopping.

Each First Friday between now and the end of the year will have a different theme, starting with today’s harvest.

Participating businesses will serve food or snacks – such as goat cheese, jams, salsas, sauerkraut, chocolate – or distribute harvest-themed recipes, said Mary Corso, the chairwoman of the First Friday committee.

Corso’s also the co-owner of downtown’s Courtyard Antique Mall and Bistro, one of about 30 participating businesses in today’s event. She plans to serve goat cheese, crackers and caramel apples as part of her First Friday.

Businesses will stay open until 8 p.m. as part of the event. Parking is free downtown after 5 p.m.

Next month’s theme is the arts, to coincide with Arts Walk. November will be chocolate, and December will have a holiday theme.

Organizers are firming up plans to keep the event going in 2012.

First Friday got its start several years ago, led by local artists and downtown art galleries.

The cause then was picked up by downtown business owner Mathias Eichler and his business Einmaleins on State Avenue. Eichler promoted First Friday for nearly four years until this spring when he got out of retail. The event then stopped.

At its peak under Eichler, about 20 downtown retailers participated in First Friday. Eichler said it was a challenge at times to get businesses to organize themselves.

“I didn’t have the administrative power of the ODA,” he said. “I’m glad it’s happening, and I’m excited they (the ODA) are supporting it.”

Corso hopes the new First Friday will “re-energize the city so we can really say Olympia is great after hours, too.”

She said other businesses are welcomed to join First Friday, including restaurants and banks.

According to an ODA flier, the participating First Friday businesses are: A Rusty Rooster, Antique Junkie, Antiques Olympia, Archibald Sisters, Bellezza Ropa, Bonaventure, Bonjour Cupcakes, Browser’s Book Shop, Brown Derby Antiques, Childhood’s End Gallery, Compass Rose, Courtyard Antiques, Drees, Finders Keepers Antiques, Fire and Earth, Ginger Street, Lily’s What to Where, Matter Gallery, Olympia Fireplace & Spa, Olympic Wine Merchant, Orca Books, The Popinjay, Radiance Herbs & Massage, Red Door, Super Silver, Tattered Treasures and Wind Up Here.

For more information about First Friday, call the ODA at 360-357-8948.

Rolf Boone: 360-754-5403 rboone@theolympian.com www.theolympian.com/bizblog