BELLE FOURCHE—Something special was happening on State Street on Friday, December 5. There was not a parking spot to be found as folks flocked to the downtown area to enjoy a day of Strolling and an evening of Holiday Open Houses.
Eighteen State Street businesses joined together and invited the public to spend the day with them to discover what unique items each of the businesses had to offer. “It’s an opportunity to get customers through the door and then give them a reason to come back,” explained Michelle Evans, co-owner of Pasque Ladies Fashions and Cowboys TOO! on State Street.
The State Street Stroll was set up like a poker run. Everyone who participated had to get an official State Street Stroll card, then proceed to State Street to walk up and down the blocks stopping in at all of the participating businesses.
Next they had to find an official to initial the card at each stop. After all of the squares were filled in, the completed card had to be turned in at the final stop. The Stroll ran from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
A grand prize of a $500 gift certificate to spend at any of the participating State Street businesses was given away at the end of the night to one lucky stroller. The grand prize was sponsored by Pioneer Bank and Trust.
The State Street businesses stayed open late and held Holiday Open Houses from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the evening of State Street Stroll. Many of the businesses offered snacks, treats, drinks along with in store specials.
Sue and Shawna from Saturdays on State opened the store specifically to participate in the State Street Stroll and Open House (usually only open once a month) and shared that they had been getting positive responses from the public. People stopped in their store for the first time ever and discovered what they had to offer. They explained that something like the State Street Stroll allows for the public to see what the small businesses have to offer locally so when they need something, they don’t have to run to the big stores, they can get it right here in Belle Fourche.
Another business that participated in the event was Pete’s Clothing and Hodge Bootery. Owner Lee Hodge said they had noticed an increase in foot traffic for the day. For their Open House they had a variety of food and drinks. “We have sodas and water, High Noons and some beer, hot chocolate, apple cider, red and white wine and some treats,” he said. Pete’s Clothing had a special for the day: get Montana jewelry for spending $100. And, they do free gift wrapping!
There were so many specials to be found and treats to be eaten during the stops. Some of the offerings included: Hitching Post Tap House offered munchies, a gift basket drawing and a guess-how-many-lights contest, Quality Quick Print offered 20 percent off storewide, Black Hills Curio offered sweet treats, Pearson Block Candy Shop had the Grinch come for pictures, Dakota Petals gave away chocolate toffee and had a drawing for a free flower arrangement, Saturday on State offered cookies and hot apple cider, Cowboys Too and Pasque Ladies Fashions had an arrangement of sweet treats and charcuterie and Pioneer Bank and Trust had food and drinks.
At the end of the night all of the business owners shared their thoughts on the State Street Stroll and open house event and one of them shared from a customer, “I grew up in Belle and this reminds me of that time! All the shops open late and running into neighbors and visiting has really put me in the Christmas spirit!” And what more could one want on a special holiday evening in downtown Belle Fourche!
Businesses that participated in the State Street Stroll included: Pioneer Bank and Trust, Quality Quick Print, Emporium 605, Prairie Hills Pharmacy, Saturday on State, Hair Gallery, Dakota Petal, The Circle Lounge, Cowboys Too! Pasque Ladies Fashions, Pete’s Clothing and Hodge Bootery, Belle Flowers and Co., Pearson Block Hous, Pearson Block Candy Shop, Dakota Territory Firearms, Hitching Post Tap House, Black Hills Curio, Elizabeth Ann’s Bridal and Love That Shoppe.
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