Historic Ellicott City Celebrates First Fridays

What are First Fridays in Historic Ellicott City?  See for yourself tonight, the first Friday of the month.

As the day winds down, shopping picks up on Main Street. Participating shops will offer sidewalk sales and restaurants will stay open late. The goal of First Fridays is to bring a fun evening offering live music, dining and shopping in the evening, and to drive more customers to Main Street. 

Until recently, the historic district in Ellicott City was comprised solely of small independently-owned businesses. This is still the case for the most part, but the shops in quaint downtown face an uphill battle competing with malls, shopping centers and chain businesses which have much larger budgets and reach.

So last year, a small group of merchants and restaurant owners in the historic district banded together and created Ellicott City's First Friday. Shoppers come out for the fun, entertainment, great deals and community aspect of the event.  In doing so, they support independent businesses of the historic distinct, strengthening our town and community. 

On the first Friday of each month during the warmer seasons, many merchants keep their doors open until 9 p.m.  There is live music at the top and bottom of Main Street, creating a festive feeling that flows along through the sidewalk sales and into the night.

“I first got involved in First Fridays when Marissa Jonner of Little Sunshine Trading Co. began rallying the town to start the event,” said Katie Ficca of Takin Art Yoga Photography.

“The birth of First Fridays began last year in July of 2010. Marissa has since passed on the lead to Kelli, owner of Journey From Junk, but still is an active member of the committee. Together with Tammy and Caitlin from Sweet Elizabeth Jane, Leslie from Love & Glitter, and Jenni from are committee will continue to build First Fridays as an on-going event from Spring to Fall.”

Mon Amie and the Little French Market are also involved.

The small group of business people spent their own money making fliers and filled balloons which were personally delivered to every single store and restaurant in the district.  They put out free ads on Craig’s List informing the community and used their own loyal customer bases to spread the word. 

The idea worked, and people flocked to Main Street for the atmosphere and shopping.  This year, the core group of merchants has expanded.

“We are actively working to keep this going and spread the word and enthusiasm.  We have graduated from filling 150 balloons every month …to ordering First Friday flags that will announce the event on the street,” said Tammy Beideman, owner of Sweet Elizabeth Jane.   

“We have musicians lined up throughout the summer.  We are doing whatever we can to promote and build excitement within our individual e-mail lists and shops.”

Kelli Myers, owner of A Journey from Junk, participated both this year and last.  She has planned special sales, food and drinks, and is hopeful the monthly events will bring “increased traffic on  not only Friday nights, but an increased awareness of just how much there is to do in Historic Ellicott City every day of the week.”

Jenni from Wind River agrees. “We love the home town feel of Main Street and the local grass root support…We have been a retailer on Main Street for over 20 years and the Main Street Historic District residents for about 25. We love to be able to offer our community a great product at an affordable price with special events such as First Fridays,” she said. 

"As an Ellicott City native, my personal hope is to help rebuild Historic Ellicott City to create a sought after destination to shop, stroll and just have fun," Ficca said.

"As a mom of three, I would love to have a place for families to be able to dine and enjoy activities on a Friday night. In doing this, it would help our small businesses thrive during tough times and create a stronger community within town.”

Leslie Putnam from Love & Glitter joined the First Fridays team only a month after her shop opened last summer.  Everything she and her store are about is embodied in the local community aspect of the First Fridays events.

“I hope that First Fridays will become an event that people regularly have blocked out on their calendars to come out and hear some great local bands, have dinner and get some shopping in.  And it’s great way for the members of our community that work during the weekdays to get a chance to enjoy Ellicott City.”

First Fridays take place this year in downtown Ellicott City on June 3 (today!), July 1, August 5, September 2, October 7, November 4 and December 2.