UPDATE 2014: The 2nd Annual Girls on Gartner returns to Naperville Plaza from 3-7PM Wed., May 7.
Previous post from April 2013: May Day brings traditional thoughts of springtime, images of dancing around Maypoles and flower-filled May baskets as well as the sound of “play ball” in local sports parks. This year, the first day of May also has been set to introduce a new seasonal tradition at Naperville Plaza designed especially for women with live musical entertainment and more.
Merchants at Naperville Plaza announced in March that they will host the first “Girls on Gartner” from 9AM to 8PM on Wed., May 1, a day packed with activities, entertainment and refreshments. Featured guest will be Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel. Inspired by downtown Naperville’s very successful Girls Night Out to showcase the Plaza as an another fine shopping center in the Western Suburbs, details have been blossoming ever since.
Best kept secret let out of the swag bag
“Gartner Plaza may be one of the best kept secrets in the Western Suburbs,” said Nicki Anderson, marketing director at Oswald’s Pharmacy who is spearheading the event along with other merchants. “Dan Casey of Casey’s Foods says, ‘If Naperville Plaza doesn’t have it, you don’t need it!’ We felt it is important to have an event to showcase all the great stores and amenities the plaza has to offer,” she said.
Naperville Plaza is located just south of downtown Naperville at Gartner Road and Washington Street. The plaza has enjoyed great growth in recent months with the addition of some unique new merchants including Orange Theory, Weight Watchers and Eye World. Earlier this year, First Community Bank Naperville relocated to Naperville Plaza, too. These enterprises along with anchor stores historic Oswald’s, Casey’s Foods, Trader Joe’s and AnaBanana Kids make the Plaza a great alternative and addition to shopping elsewhere in Naperville.
“For every person who stops by our bank for a punch on their card, First Community Bank will donate one dollar to Family Shelter Service,” said Mary Jane Leisten, a personal banker at First Community Bank Naperville. “The punch cards will be inside the swag bags for pick-up at Oswald’s Pharmacy.”
Some restrictions will apply. For instance, to receive all food discounts, individuals must have a collectible swag bag!
Check out planned activities!
• Live music entertainment in the center of the plaza along with food and refreshments at each store as attendees tour the Plaza. Music will be performed by the Peotones, Luke Frees and Bill Phillips. • Swag bags (pick up at Osward’s Pharmacy) with goodies from merchants; show “punch” tickets in swag bags at participating merchants, get the ticket punched full and be eligible for the Grand Prize Basket. • Merchants will offer a variety of demos, fashion shows, tastings and fun activities at each store designed to “engage” customers and to find out what’s new in the popular shopping center. • Featured guest Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel at 5PM. • Participating restaurants will have specials available for guests with swag bags. “Participating businesses will be offering fantastic specials just for Girls on Gartner participants throughout the day,” said Wil Anderson at Oswald’s. “Beginning at 5PM, Mayor Pradel will kick-off the evening festivities which include live music, trolley rides and in-store specials and demos.” “We are extremely excited about the event,” said Julie Wolfkiel, owner of children’s boutique AnaBanana Kids, whose shop will offer “Frock ‘n Roll” and other fashion tips. “Naperville Plaza has a lot to offer and it deserves to get recognition for it. We think the first annual Girls on Gartner at Naperville Plaza event will shine a spotlight on this great shopping destination.” “Trolley Rides are thanks to Annette (Wehrli) from 5-8. Sue Koranda will be the ‘Trolley hostess with the mostest,'” said Nicki Anderson.
“Our Grand Prize is worth over 2,000 dollars!” she added. “We have three musicians that will be all around the plaza. High top tables throughout the plaza with beautiful centerpieces donated by Celidan which will be giveaways for some lucky winners. It’s all incredibly exciting.”
About Girls on Gartner at Naperville Plaza Planning Committee: The Girls on Gartner at Naperville Plaza Planning Committee is made up of lead merchants at the Plaza – AnaBanana Kids, Oswald’s Pharmacy, Casey’s Foods, Orange Theory and First Community Bank Naperville. The planning committee is dedicated to enhancing the view of Naperville Plaza and its merchants at this new one-of-a kind event.
