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Connie Swinney/The Highlander Justin Watson, Cheryl Westerman and Stephanie McNamara held a promotional photoshoot in September for the planned Back to the Future event to be held downtown on Saturday. -
Connie Swinney/ The Highlander On Oct. 14, Kelly Davis of Lula’s on Main organized a set of gift cards for $100 giveaways in anticipation of specials on Saturday, Oct. 16 during the Back to the Future event downtown. Dressed as “Doc Brown” from the movie, she along with several other businesses will participate in themed activities. -
Connie Swinney /The Highlander Lucero Benitez and Nadia Romo, employees at El Jardin Corona on Main Street, were impressed with Lula’s on Main owner Kelly Davis’ Doc Brown costume for the Back to the Future event on Saturday.
Downtown business owner Kelly Davis believes that merchants who work together for downtown events do more than just help the bottom line.
“We all partner together to make sure that we’re all thriving, that our community is thriving and our shoppers are thriving,” she said.
Davis, the owner of Lula’s on Main at 305 Main St., will be one of several downtown businesses helping promote with special and discounts the Back to the Future event on Saturday, Oct. 16. as well as participate by donning nostalgic costumes.
Organizer Cheryl Westerman of Ms. Lollipop’s Parties Fun & Gifts, 208 Main St. organized the event with daylong activities with a focus on supporting local business.
While the focus is on the beloved Back to the Future movie and 1980s theme, the event will include staging a replica of the DeLorean Time Machine from the movie on Main Street from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. parked in the 200 block of the street.
The aim is to have fun and encourage everyone to “shop local,” Davis said.
“People are nervous about supply chain, but this lets them know we’re full. We have inventory and we can provide their needs for the fall and winter and even the spring,” she added. “Overall, it’s excitement. It gets Main Street hopping with business. Everybody is included.”
Other business will participate in the following ways:
• Ragtime Oriole and The Lazy Heron Coffee staff will be in costume and offering a strong Biff Coffee Drink, named for the antagonist in the movie;
• Highland Arts Guild, at Fourth and Main Street, celebrating 50 years will be dressed in 50s period costumes one of the themes in the original Back to the Future movie;
• Darci’s Deli, 909 Third St. Suite A, will feature the Hill Valley Hot Ham & Cheese Sandwich;
• Texas Elite Meat, 204 Main St., will offer the Marty McFries and a “Mad Dog” Tannen Burger Basket after a character who played the great grandfather of the Biff the bully;
• Along with support from the city of Marble Falls, the parks and recreation department will host a free screening of the 1980s popular film on a large pop-up outdoor screen on the grounds of Harmony Park at Third and Main Street; and
• Brass Hall, 909 Third St. Suite B, will host a Flash Back Dance Party where entry is free for those in costumes. The dance party starts around 9 p.m.
Others, including El Jardin Corona at 301 Main St., expect to surprise customers, according to staff.
On Oct. 14, restaurant waitresses Lucero Benitez and Nadia Romo were checking into their shifts, when they noticed Kelly, their neighbor merchant, offering a peak at the costume she will wear for the Saturday festivities.
“She looks really good,” the waitresses said in unison.
Romo said she looks forwards the event bringing more visitors to downtown. “There’s going to be more people here,” she said.
Benitez added, “They can get sweets, wine, food, dresses – a lot of everything … so there’s more business for us.”