Downtown event includes tours of upper floors

• Molly Goldsmith

Molly Goldsmith is the program director for Mitchell Main Street and Beyond.

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The inaugural year of Third Thursdays on Main wraps up today. Mitchell Main Street & Beyond organized the event, which started in June and was held on the third Thursday of each month during the summer. A return is planned for next summer.

Participating businesses will be open until around 7:30 p.m., some vendors will be at a farmers’ market in the Fifth and Main parking lot and live music will be performed by Billy Lurken at Woelfel Park at Third and Main.

“It’s been a good year to get it going,” MMS&B Executive Director Molly Goldsmith said. “We’re trying to give the customers what they’re asking for. They want businesses to stay open later. It’s about supporting your local community and giving people a place to go.”

A special addition to the fourth and final Third Thursday is a tour of upper-level living quarters in downtown Mitchell buildings. A self-guided tour will begin at 6 p.m. People can pick up a map at Fifth and Main and see three apartments and one proposed living space. There is a $3 charge.

“All of the spaces will have someone at them if you would like to ask questions,” she said. “All the doorways will be marked.”

Goldsmith said the goal is to showcase the upper levels of downtown buildings, which is a question she often hears.

“This is an opportunity for the general public to see what’s going on in those spaces,” she said. “Property owners and residents are sharing their spaces. It’s very brave of them to share their space and open it up to the public.”

Overall, the Third Thursdays concept has been a success, Goldsmith said.

MMS&B has other plans for the next few days, as caramel apples will make a return.

They will be sold Saturday during the OutKasts car show in downtown. Sales will be conducted in front of Einstein’s Costumes and Prop Rental, 317 N. Main St., starting at 11 a.m. and lasting until the food is gone, Goldsmith said.

The apples will sell for $3.50 and other caramel treats and ice-cold drinks will be available as well.

Tags: mitchell main street and beyond, life, updates, local, mitchell, downtown