The Grand Terrace Chamber of Commerce is getting the word out about businesses in this bedroom community.
Starting July 21, the chamber will present Market Night, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., on the front lawn of The Terrace Assisted Living, 22325 Barton Road.
The event will take place once a month on Mondays and may eventually go to twice a month or weekly, depending on vendor and customer interest, said Sid Bailey, former chamber president.
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Bailey said chamber members have been thinking about starting a market night for eight years.
Bailey, who moved his beauty supply and salon business to Grand Terrace seven years ago, said he is not surprised that residents aren’t aware of businesses in the city.
“I would like to see any business in Grand Terrace come down and put in a booth and hand out brochures so citizens of Grand Terrace will know that they’re here,” he said.
Bailey said the chamber is expecting 12 to 20 businesses to participate in the first Market Night.
The first four months will be reserved for Grand Terrace businesses only, Bailey said.
Market Night will be certified so that vendors eventually will be able to sell produce like they do at farmers markets in other cities.
Bailey said the town’s Citizens Patrol will provide security and the chamber is working on finding volunteers to help out on Mondays.
One participating business is a family consignment shop called New 2 You. Owner Mary Irey said she opened her Barton Road store four years ago.
Business was good until Stater Bros. moved its corporate headquarters last fall from Barton Road in Colton to San Bernardino. Irey said Staters Bros. employees visited her store because it was up the street from their workplace.
Irey looks forward to potential new customers from Market Night.
“I just think it’s great for Grand Terrace,” Irey said. “It’s going to bring people into the city and bring customers to the businesses.”
Reach Julie Farren at 909-806-3066 or jfarren@PE.com