By Mary Ann Bourbeau
RED BANK – Girls just want to have fun, and they will have an opportunity to do just that on Thursday, Oct. 16, when the Red Bank RiverCenter presents Girl’s Night Out.
Participating restaurants, bars, retailers and salons in the downtown area will be offering discounts, specials and free gift promotions. Late-night happy hours will follow the 5 to 9 p.m. event.
“We had heard about Girl’s Night Out in other towns, and we wanted to put together a similar event to highlight retail in Red Bank,” said James Scavone, executive director of Red Bank RiverCenter. “We’ve done it for two years and it’s been very successful.”
Many businesses will be offering refreshments and giveaways, and there will be live music in the streets along with DJ Laurie Cataldo from radio station 94.3 The Point.
“There will be a wide variety of performers along the sidewalks, mostly acoustic, to add to the atmosphere a little bit,” Scavone said.
About 400 women participated in the event last year, Scavone said, as did more than 60 downtown businesses.
In past years, shops have given away free bracelets, key chains and note cards.
“It’s a very fun atmosphere,” Scavone said. “It gives these women a chance to unwind and have a good time, to hang out with their friends, shop and have a cocktail. It also exposes our retailers to people who haven’t been to Red Bank in a while, those who have never been here, or those who only go to our restaurants.”
Candy Galekovic, owner of Candy’s Cottage, will be participating, offering a 25 percent storewide discount and 50 to 70 percent off clearance merchandise. Galekovic opened the gift boutique on Monmouth Street in May and is looking forward to her first Girl’s Night Out.
“I’ve talked to other store owners and they were all really positive about it,” she said. “It’s a great event because it encourages women to come out and leave the kids and hubbies behind. I hear it’s a very fun atmosphere. I wish I could participate myself.”
Those who want to join the fun can preregister at www.redbank.org, which enters them to win a $100 Red Bank gift card or one of several gift baskets.
Check-in on the night of the event is at Monmouth Street Emporium, 27 Monmouth St., or The Galleria at 2 Bridge Ave.
Refreshments will be served as guests receive a “passport,” a guide to shopping specials and a free tote bag, in which they can carry their giveaways and purchases. Women’s wellness information will also be available, courtesy of Riverview Medical Center.
Vibe writer Mary Ann Bourbeau can be reached at mbourbeau@tworivertimes.com.
