Latrobe merchants plan 'Sweet Night' as monthly Shop Hop events resume

Several Latrobe merchants are planning “A Sweet Night Out” for visitors Wednesday evening as the city’s downtown business community begins another year of monthly Shop Hop Night events.

Given the relatively mild weather forecast for this first full week of February, with daytime highs moving into the 50s, organizer Emily Pasqualino is anticipating a good turnout for Wednesday’s event. It will see 10 participating merchants offering a variety of sweet treats and refreshments, in-store bargains or give-aways from 4 to 7 p.m.

“Everybody will have something special,” said Pasqualino, who will have chocolates on hand at her Paper Heart Social Goods and Event Studios, along with wine for those who are old enough to enjoy a sip.

New to the Shop Hop event will be Thrive Life Mama Market, a women’s lifestyle boutique on Main Street. Other participating merchants include Green Goddess, Eclectique, the Latrobe Art Center, Rose Style Shoppe, Clips on Mane, Terri’s Gourmet Sweet Treats, Maria Mejia Photography and Mangata Massage & Holistic Practices.

“We have stayed at around 9 to 12 businesses participating every month,” said Pasqualino. “In addition to providing something to attract shoppers, we hope that the Shop Hop Nights also will entice more people to start a business in town, knowing that we have this and other great events.”

Latrobe’s themed Shop Hop Nights usually are held on the first Wednesday of each month, save for a winter break in December and January.

Because Easter comes early this year, on March 31, the popular Shop Till Ya Drop Egg Hunt also will be early this year, on March 6.

Pasqualino explained visitors can search for eggs inside select shops, each egg containing a bargain coupon for that location or for one of the other participating merchants.

“It creates camaraderie among the merchants and it’s fun for patrons,” she said.

A Spring Fling basket raffle is planned for the following month’s shopping event, on April 3.