‘Thanks with Franks’

MT. PLEASANT — Main Street Mt. Pleasant is set to host the Independence Day Pre-Party in the square Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m., in celebration of Independent Retailer’s month in July.

Organized by Main Street Mt. Pleasant Director Lisa Oetken the day is set to hold countless fun activities with participation from over 17 area businesses. They include “Thanks With Franks,“ beer tasting, wine tasting, and even an Eventzee scavenger hunt.

They will be giving away free hot dogs as part of the “Thanks with Franks” and will be hosting a scavenger hunt through the mobile app Eventzee where participants will have to find Uncle Sam in businesses on the square.

They will be holding a special dog costume contest at 6:30 p.m. where participants are encouraged to dress their pet

“Bring your furry friends down to the square and dress them up in patriotic gear,” Oetken said.

The event costs $5 to participate, with proceeds going to marketing for the downtown businesses.

With 140 independent businesses in the downtown area are important to Mt. Pleasant’s economy. With small independent businesses making up the majority of the businesses in Mt. Pleasant, Main Street Mt. Pleasant wants to celebrate those businesses.

“We really want to celebrate those business because they are a big part of Mt. Pleasant. These independent small businesses are the heart of downtown,” Oetken said.

It’s especially important to help those businesses most are still trying to recover from the loss of business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Last year when everything was shut down it was really hard for everyone, but especially those independent businesses because that is their livelihood, that is their life,” Oetken said. “So whatever way we can increase revenue is amazing.”

With the pandemic coming closer to a close, Mt. Pleasant residents have been patronizing their businesses, according to Oetken.

“We’re hoping to increase business revenue to make up for some of what we lost during the pandemic, so we want people to come downtown and shop local,” Oetken said.

After the event there will be pies in the park with P.E.O. at 6:30 p.m. and the community band concert at 7 p.m.