Holiday Shop Opp: Devine Night Out

For those who play by the book, the holiday season doesn’t officially start until Thanksgiving Day ends.

For everyone else, the season starts now.

Devine Night Out, which organizers tout as the first holiday shopping event of the season, is set for Thursday, Nov. 12. The free event, hosted by the Devine Street Association, will feature about a mile of shops and restaurants along Devine Street, with sales and specials to ring in the holidays.

Jennifer Suber, Devine Street Association’s marketing coordinator, said events in previous years took place the second Thursday in December, but the organization’s members wanted to do something different this year to boost holiday shopping. Suber said by early December, most people already have done much of their shopping.

“It will be the first time this early in the season,” she said. “We hope to be the kickoff for the holiday season.”

Shopping locally for the holidays is especially important this year to help boost the local economy after last month’s floods devastated South Carolina, according to Suber.

“With the flooding, a lot of businesses are suffering,” she said. “They are just worried that people aren’t going to go out and shop like they have in the past.”

Suber encouraged people to “get off their computers” and into the stores and keep dollars in the Midlands.

“When you’re shopping locally, you’re helping your neighbors,” she said. “At this time, Columbia really needs to say, ‘What can we do to help people in Columbia?’ ”

About 98 percent of the businesses on Devine Street near Shandon are locally owned and often have items unique to that store.

The event is not just about shopping but also allows people to find gift ideas for later and socialize. Some restaurants will feature music, including Za’s Brick Oven Pizza, which will have a jazz band and wine special.

Patrons should should “grab a friend and book a sitter” because it is an adult event, Suber said.

“There will be adult beverages, it’s at night, and there’s nothing for your children to do,” she said. “People just come out and they drink and they socialize and they shop and they just have fun.”

Those who want to continue the festivities can attend the free after-party from 8 to 10 p.m. at Henry’s, 2865 Devine St. Suber said the after-party will include free drinks, free food, door prizes and entertainment by singer Brent Lundy.

“It’s a fun little ditty,” she said.

Jane Moon Dail, jdail@thestate.com

This story was originally published November 11, 2015 at 9:48 AM.