Latrobe businesses promote monthly shopping night

Downtown Latrobe’s latest Shop Hop Night, set for 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, will feature an Easter theme.

Introduced in February, the evening of shopping, promotions and refreshments is held the first Wednesday of each month at participating downtown merchants.

“I thought it would be something that would be fun and would draw people back into town,” said event organizer Emily Pasqualino, who owns Paper Heart Affairs, a party boutique that opened in August on Main Street. “I think a lot of people are going back to shopping local.”

While such community events as the Great American Banana Split Celebration, Mister Rogers Family Day and Holly Jolly festivities bring many people to downtown Latrobe, Pasqualino said, “I wanted to have something more regular for people to attend.”

She expressed hope the Shop Hop nights will attract those who aren’t able to shop during the day or who don’t normally stay in the downtown business district after 5 p.m.

As a special feature of the April Shop Hop, she said, patrons will be invited to join in Easter egg hunts at participating stores. Hidden eggs will contain coupons redeemable at various downtown merchants.

“This promotes everybody going to all the locations,” she said.

Participating stores are encouraged to offer cookies or other refreshments.

Poor weather may have limited attendance during the March Shop Hop, but Pasqualino said, “I’m expecting a great turnout for this one. We’ll have the extended daylight on our side. We’ve had a good response on Facebook, with people sharing it and commenting.”

Another of Pasqualino’s aims in developing the monthly events is to promote increased cooperation among Latrobe’s downtown businesses.

“Everybody can participate when and if they can,” she said of the businesses. “I want it to be collaborative. We’re still ironing things out and mostly communicating by email.”

Businesses expected to participate in the April Shop Hop include Paper Heart Affairs, Rose Style Shoppe, Chicoras, Eclectique, Graydog Comics and Toys, the Latrobe Art Center, Ricolita’s Café, Camarote’s Snack Shack, Market on Main and the recently opened Terri’s Gourmet Sweet Treats.

With the arrival of milder weather, Pasqualino said she’d like to include outdoor musical entertainment in future Shop Hop events.

Updates on Shop Hop activities can be found on the Downtown Latrobe Facebook page or on participating merchants’ social media accounts.