News

Open Streets program expands activities this weekend

By Lightning Reports, Published: July 28, 2020

Downtown Hendersonville is ramping up activities for the once-a-month Open Streets weekend with sidewalk sales, free yoga, sprinklers to cool off and more outdoor seating.

The Friends of Downtown Hendersonville has refreshed the Open Streets pilot program to become a monthly Saturday activity for all to enjoy the great local businesses downtown has to offer. Main Street will be closed to vehicles all day on the first Saturday of each month from Second Avenue to Sixth Avenue. Cross streets will remain open so shoppers and diners can access the  avenue businesses and downtown parking available a short walk from Main Street. The spaces on Main Street in front of the Historic Henderson County Courthouse are reserved for handicap parking.

Many downtown businesses have expanded outdoor activities planned for the first LoveHendo-Shop Local Saturday this weekend, including:

• The Hendersonville Family YMCA will host free yoga on the 400 block at 8:30 am
• Team ECCO Shark Lab will host afternoon activities from 11:30-2:30 on the 500 block, including photos with characters, invertebrate tanks, bubbles, etc.
• Renzo’s Speakeasy Al Fresco at 6 pm on the 500 block
• Cool off with outdoor sprinklers and additional outdoor seating
• Mast General Store Sidewalk Sale

In the spirit of #SafeHendo, all businesses and customers are encouraged to follow the 3 W’s – Wear a face covering, Wash your hands and Wait 6 feet apart.

To encourage creativity and resiliency among businesses and nonprofits downtown, the Friends of Downtown Hendersonville also launched the Downtown Hendersonville Pivot Fund, a microgrant program to support businesses and nonprofits in the Main Street and Historic Seventh Avenue districts to find creative solutions to adapt during the pandemic environment.

“The open space on Main Street during LoveHendo Saturdays will allow for alternative ways to experience Downtown Hendersonville,” said Lew Holloway, Downtown Economic Development Director, "We encourage businesses to think creatively as they shift to a new normal.”
Businesses and experience-based nonprofits are invited to apply for funding to support expanding their business outdoors and maintaining social distancing standards. Donations are being accepted to support the program at downtownhendersonville.org.