(Photo by Amber Phipps) Threadz Boutique sells women’s clothing and accessories and collects donations for Eve Inc. one or two times a year.

The theme of November’s First Friday, put on by Marietta Main Street, was “Cheers to Charity” which encouraged local businesses to partner with a charity and provide the community with an opportunity to help out those in need simply by shopping.

Multiple businesses donated a percentage of funds made from the evening of Nov. 7 to local charities, shelters, or food pantries.

Every first Friday of each month, downtown Marietta bustles with activity due to the stores, restaurants and businesses remaining open past 5 p.m.

First Friday gives the community an opportunity to explore their local businesses during after hours and connect with organizations in the area they might not have been aware of.

The Cheers to Charity event went beyond the clothing and item sales and brought attention to what it meant to be part of the community of Marietta.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Clutch Collective owner Sarah Arnold holds up the handsewn quilt which was to be gifted to the winner of the donations raffle.

Threadz Boutique offered 15% off of a purchase for anyone who brought in a donation for Eve Inc., which is a domestic violence shelter.

“We accept any and all donations so people prefer to give monetary donations and I generally take care of the clothes part, often when I have things that aren’t selling I’ll just donate those clothes to the shelter,” said Threadz Boutique owner Darla Bonnette. “People bring in feminine products, soaps, shampoos, or things like gifts a mom might receive for a holiday or birthday.”

Bonnette took over the business seven-and-a-half years ago and hasn’t missed any First Friday.

She said the shop often stays open after hours because if there are guests that come in later looking for clothes, she’s not going to tell them to leave.

“I love the Eve Inc. shelter and we usually collect donations for them once or twice a year,” she said. “I love to give back and clearly our downtown wouldn’t be what it is without our community so any opportunity we have to give back is great.”

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Threadz Boutique owner Darla Bonnette donates clothing to Eve Inc. as a way to help out her community.

Bonnette said she was only planning to take over the business after her daughter for a few months but she found she really enjoyed making lasting connections with the community.

Bonnette refers to her regulars as a “village” and considers them people she can turn to for help if any situation arises.

“We need to take care of each other,” said Bonnette. “Everybody works together on Front Street and we all need each other.”

Threadz Boutique offers a wide selection of women’s clothing and accessories. She said the Cheers to Charity First Friday was unique because she saw a lot of new people in the shop.

The rainy and cold weather that evening deterred many of the regular First Friday attendees from browsing the shops and supporting businesses.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Jason and Grace Combs, members of the Gypsy River band, performed live at the Clutch Collective during First Friday in May. The local businesses often collaborate with music groups and artists during First Friday.

“We probably had a few hundred dollars in monetary donations to Eve Inc. but we did stay steady throughout the night,” she said.

Down the street from Threadz Boutique is Clutch Collective which was among the businesses also participating in Cheers to Charity. Clutch Collective pledged 20% of its sales for the day to the Greater Marietta Community Food Pantry.

Owner Sarah Arnold said for anyone who donated, their name will be placed into a raffle for a chance to win a handsewn quilt. Due to the rain during First Friday, she said she would continue encouraging donations beyond that evening.

Marietta Main Street partnered with the Salvation Army of Washington County and was accepting new or used holiday decoration donations that would be donated to the Salvation Army.

Marietta Main Street is made up of a board of directors who run various businesses and organizations in Marietta. Their mission is to bring people together and support the community in a multitude of ways.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Wit & Whimzy participates in Marietta Main Street’s First Friday event with deals, sales, and seasonal decorations. The skeletons riding a bike were on display throughout October.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Organizations, nonprofits, and businesses often set up information booths on the Armory lawn to share information and provide resources for the community during First Friday.