City Board of Public Works & Safety Approves Street Closure for Candle Light Shopping on Thursday Evenings

Monday evening the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety approved the request of the Downtown Merchants, represented by Sandy Saenz from Simplee Stated Gifts to close a portion of Garro Street for the next four Thursday evenings.

Saenz said twelve merchants will be participating in the new Candlelight Christmas Shopping events on Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. December 1^st, 8^th, 15^th, and 22^nd.

Sandy told the board that the downtown merchants are trying to create an old-small-town Christmas feel like you see in the movies and remember as kids.   

During this first event on December 1^st, Mr. & Mrs. Claus will be strolling the downtown area walking in and around the businesses.  One of the participating merchants will be doing a craft in their business and there will be some carolers strolling throughout the downtown. 

Each evening will feature a s’more’s station on Garro Street between Michigan Street and the alley by the Post Office.  Working with the Plymouth Fire Department Volunteers there will be a large charcoal grill available to make the s’mores.  Families can stop by some of the downtown merchants on Thursday evenings and get a FREE s’mores kit and then make their s’mores at the Garro Street location. 

The second Thursday event on December 8^th will feature the s’mores station, Expressions Dance Studio will have a dance troupe performing and the Grinch will be downtown having some fun with shoppers. 

The third Thursday, December 15^th will once again feature the s’mores station, and carolers from Lincoln Junior High School as well as Riverside Intermediate School will be singing around downtown.  Expressions Dance Studio will entertain again and Santa will be visiting along with a craft station and gift-wrapping stations.   

The final Thursday event, December 22^nd will have the s’mores station, Santa, and a ticketed Cookie Walk event.  The REES will also be showing Polar Express that evening with adult tickets at $5 each and children 12 and under FREE. 

Saenz said, “We are just trying to make it a fun and very family-friendly event that will encourage visitation to downtown.”

Councilman Jeff Houin motioned to approve the request to close the half-block portion of Garro Street and it was seconded by Bill Walters.  The Board of Public Works and Safety unanimously approved the request.