Select businesses on First Avenue will be holding their annual Customer Appreciation Night Nov. 17 in conjunction with the Downtown Business Association.
Merchants will be rolling out the red carpet for a festive early Christmas atmosphere complete with refreshments and appetizers in each store.
Rex Cox Men’s Wear owner Carlo Billinger says it’s really just an opportunity to experience what downtown has to offer.
“For us, we’re just happy to have people come in and see what we’ve got before people go out to Christmas shop. There’s no pressure to buy that night. Just come on down, see what we have to offer so that when you do need something for Christmas parties or presents, you have an idea,” he said.
Participating businesses with large discounts on some inventory items include Gold Bin Jewellers, Goody Too Shoes, Rex Cox Men’s Wear, and Swing Optical.
Billinger said the idea originated several years ago from Goody Too Shoes’ owner Gemma Quiring, after downtown businesses kept hearing from shoppers that they exhausted themselves looking for Christmas presents in Abbotsford, never realizing downtown Mission already has what they’re looking for.
“Here’s an opportunity to see what we have first,” said Billinger.
He added that several restaurants are participating in Customer Appreciate Night as well, so they’re encouraging people to come downtown, do some browsing, take in a meal and enjoy themselves.
The event is a means of promoting what First Avenue has to offer, while giving merchants a chance to thank the community for their patronage throughout the year.
The evening begins at 5 p.m. and continues through to 9 p.m.