Girls’ Night Out draws big crowd to downtown Winslow

The festivities surrounding the annual event generated approximately $19,000 in additional revenue across Winslow businesses, according to the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association, the nonprofit that organizes downtown events such as Girls’ Night Out.

By Richard D. Oxley • May 24, 2012 3:56 pm
Jessica Loken
Jessica Loken

The initial estimates are in, and this year’s Girls’ Night Out event raked in thousands of dollars to downtown businesses.

The festivities surrounding the annual event generated approximately $19,000 in additional revenue across Winslow businesses, according to the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association, the nonprofit that organizes downtown events such as Girls’ Night Out.

Though that may be a conservative number based on the amount of raffle tickets sold, said Andrea Mackin, director of the downtown association. Revenues are likely to be even higher, she said.

However high the revenues range, one thing is clear, Girls’ Night Out was a success — for businesses and visitors.

“This is probably the best Girls’ Night Out that we’ve had,” said Jen O’Neill, co-owner of Sweet Deal Clothing on Winslow Way. O’Neill has taken part of Girls’ Night Out for five years now.

The 12th annual Girls’ Night Out drew crowds of ladies and vendors to the streets of Winslow. Stores offered a little extra excitement with trunk shows, sales, relaxing massages and even margaritas.

Women of all ages joined the crowds along Winslow Way for the event.

“Girls’ Night Out really gets moms shopping with daughters, and older seniors shopping in groups, and then more professional women on their lunch break or after work,” said Josh Bortman, co-owner of Pretty Stick in the Winslow Mall. “It’s a really wide range of people.”

Pretty Stick offered makeovers and massages in their store, along with a rather popular game of “cosmo pong.”

“It was a Girls’ Night Out version of beer pong,” Bortman explained. “They bounce the ball into the cup and if they get it they win a prize.”

Nearby in the Winslow Mall, Lollipops hosted the local Firefly Salon, offering manicures and hair chalk.

“There were women and girls all over the town with their hair chalked,” said Lollipops store owner Karin Lehotsky.

“There were little girls and then a group of women in their 70s having it done. That was really fun and it appealed to everybody.”

Down the street at Sweet Deal Clothing, women found a jewelry trunk show and some refreshing beverages.

“We had margaritas, we gave away some very festive beaded bracelets,” O’Neill said, who added that she was surprised at how busy they were.

“It was very high energy and people were excited to be out,” O’Neill said. “You just get that energy when a lot of women are out roaming the streets.”