Beaufort’s First Friday event cautiously returns during coronavirus. What to expect
Just a few months ago, downtown Beaufort’s Bay Street was filled with hundreds of people for the city’s monthly First Friday event.
Residents and tourists alike sipped wine in art galleries, munched on hors d’oeuvres in boutiques, and — most importantly — fueled the local economy, helping keep local merchants in business.
It’s been a monthly tradition that folks looked forward to for six years now, but like everything else, COVID-19 has forced change.
As spring came and the coronavirus pandemic shut down businesses as it spread throughout the nation, First Fridays was put on pause.
Husband and wife Eric and Mary Thibault, who own Thibault Gallery and founded First Fridays, have been working behind the scenes not only to keep their gallery open, but also to make sure they can adapt the event to help keep other Beaufort businesses afloat.
“Every month is up in the air, and every day is changing,” Mary Thibault said.
Typically, First Friday is during the evening from around 5 to 8 p.m., so merchants keep their doors open a few hours later than normal and offer special deals.
For the first time, July’s First Friday will last the entire day, and it’s been deemed “All New, All DAY, First Friday.” Shoppers can participate online and in-person at storefronts that are open. Those who come downtown must wear masks.
“We figured if we give shoppers more time, they’d be more apt to come out instead of cramming it in in a couple hours,” Mary Thibault said. “It’s just a temporary thing right now, but we’re trying to keep the event going.”
More than 15 merchants are participating with all sorts of “deals” that are listed on the Downtown Beaufort Merchants Association’s website.
July’s in-person event comes after a successful “Virtual First Friday” in June that included a Facebook Live video hosted by Beaufort City Council member and business owner Nan B. Sutton. During the livestream, Sutton visited 27 businesses for viewers to see as stores offered online sales.
Mary Thibault said the event drove online sales that night.
She also said she and Eric, who is the president of the Downtown Beaufort Merchants Association, received a “heartfelt letter” from an older Beaufort resident thanking them for hosting First Friday in a way she could participate despite not being able to go out and shop in person.
“We just appreciate people shopping local,” Mary Thibault said. “It’s very easy to get on your laptop and Amazon something to have it sent to you right away, but it’s so great to see our locals and tourists shopping local. In this time we can all use this support.”
Shoppers who are participating in person Friday will be required to wear a face mask since the Beaufort City Council passed new rules Monday that go into effect at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.
In Beaufort, face coverings are required for anyone while inside a building open to the public. Employees of any retail business in the city are also required to wear masks in areas accessible by customers and when near other employees, including outdoors.
This story was originally published June 30, 2020 at 2:51 PM.
