Tarentum Night Markets return with goal of appreciating 'local'

Thursdays are heating up again in Tarentum.

The borough’s Night Markets will return May 19, kicking off a season of shopping and socializing along the business corridors of Sixth Avenue and Corbet Street.

“We’re excited about Night Markets returning,” organizer David Rankin said. “The events seem to be very well received by area residents.”

From 5 to 8 p.m. the third Thursdays of each month, hundreds of people are drawn to the outdoor extravaganza, browsing sale tables and sampling bites from borough establishments.

To attract that many potential shoppers on a weeknight is exciting, Rankin said, especially “when most businesses would otherwise be closed, and there would be relatively no evening activity in the central business district.”

Night Market sidewalks will be flush with additional vendors and possibly some food trucks, Rankin said, and he’s hoping to see increased participation from businesses.

Launched in fall 2020, the initiative seeks to encourage the public to return to Tarentum to shop, eat and enjoy a night out.

“It’s all about shopping local and becoming reacquainted with what our community’s business district has to offer,” Rankin said.

Dianna Roney, owner of Diamond Antiques and Gifts, is marking her 16th year in business. She said the evening events are good for the town, as well as the region.

“We’ve noticed it’s getting more popular and that other towns are doing the same, and that can only be good,” Roney said. “People want to join in the movement of appreciating their town.”

Roney plans to offer shoppers a 10% discount when they make a purchase of $10 or more on her vintage and Victorian wares. Her store is filled with ceramics and wicker, plates and frames, knick-knacks and unique finds.

“I think it’s wonderful that people are stepping away from Amazon for a minute and buying things that they can touch and see in front of them,” she said.

New business owner Joe Albaugh is eager to open the doors at his Ales on 6th, a family-run bar and restaurant on the ground floor of the Tarentum Hotel on East Sixth Avenue.

Under renovation for the better part of this year, Albaugh said, “We have decided to push to be open for the Tarentum Night Market!”

The bar will welcome patrons from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. to serve drinks only, no food, until its kitchen officially opens the following week.

“We are very excited to be able to open our doors for the Night Market and let people see what we have done and check it out,” Albaugh said. “We are working around the clock to try to get everything done and be ready to open for the 19th. We are very excited to see what the community’s feedback will be.”

Night Markets are scheduled to run through November, during the last of which organizers will partner with the borough to kick off the holiday season with Tarentum Light Night.