The outlook for businesses in Olathe’s downtown could be on the up, thanks to the efforts of a group of Olathe boosters. They organized the first Fourth Friday, which took place at the end of March.
Approximately 25 people joined in the fun at the Kansas Coffee Café, which remained open late in order to host the celebration. Attendees were treated to a performance by David Chartrand, a folk musician, while they enjoyed snacks and free coffee. Ryan Nelson, one of the organizers of Fourth Friday, said he and other founders started the event to bring business, government,t and residents together.
Kai Blakeborough, who was the chief event organizer, said he hoped the first evening would grow to the point where everyone in the city wanted to head to downtown Olathe. Blakeborough noted that events in the summer would include musicians playing in the bandstand, located on the lawn of the courthouse. He also said he had received good responses from the downtown businesses he spoke to about the event, and hopes success will bring more retailers back downtown.
Event organizers could work with a flyer printing company to create handouts for this month’s celebration, listing participating companies and their hours, and encouraging residents to attend. Keeping the theme of the fourth Friday of the month, the next get-together will be on April 25.
