MERCHANTS BLOCK PARTY SET FOR JAN. 16

By Bobbi Zane

The Julian Merchants Association will hold the first of seven open house Block Parties in the Cole Building block from 5 to 7 p.m. on

Jan. 16.

Businesses participating in the event will remain open two hours later than normal. There will be music and refreshments. Some will offer discounts to shoppers. Merchants planning to participate in the initial event include: American Gardener, Julian Yesteryears, Cowgirl Café, Julian Candy Basket, Wandering Sage, Julian Drug Store.

Block Parties are scheduled throughout the Julian area on the third Monday of each month, after regular business hours to provide an opportunity for merchants and others in the community to meet and network with each other. “We want to create an opportunity for merchants to introduce their businesses to fellow merchants and townsfolk,” Melony Vance, chair of the Merchants events committee, explains.

The overall goal of this project is to drive more business to local shops and restaurants, one of the principal goals of the current board of the Merchants Association. We want to introduce local businesses to the community including those who are working every day and unable to see how many different and interesting businesses can be found in the Julian community, according to Melony.

In the coming months Block Parties are scheduled for Wynola, the Rabobank/Mom’s Pies block, B and Third streets, Wynola Corners, Stonewall Stores, and Mountain Beadworks/ Trading Post area. Each event has a chairperson designate to coordinate all the details.

Anyone interested in participating can call Melony Vance at Books in Nooks, (760) 765-2852.