A new approach to bringing people downtown
May 29—WILKES-BARRE — A city that celebrates together doesn't only stick together. It grows together, recovers together, rebounds together, and stands triumphant together.
Luckily for downtown Wilkes-Barre, there's a long list of celebrations both in the rear-view and on the horizon, thanks in part to organizations like the Diamond City Partnership who are hard at work to ensure our downtown thrives, especially in efforts to recover from the pandemic.
As Susan Magnotta, DCP's Director of Marketing and Development put it, "Our team realized that the work-from-home trend is here to stay and that we needed to take a new approach to bring new people downtown."
And with that, there's now a slew of exciting events slated throughout Summer and into the fall happening downtown to not only help rebound, but to celebrate the area and all it has to offer.
To kick off the new month this Wednesday, the Diamond City Partnership's SIPS Happy Hour series will be running from 5-7 p.m., as it will every Wednesday from May 1 to Aug. 31.
Downtown Diamonds such as Bank & Vine, Boozy B's, Café Toscana, Franklin's, Oyster Restaurant, Senunas' Bar and Grill and The DownPour will be cranking out discounted drink specials throughout the season, ensuring a continued and thriving nightlife.
And, of course, there's also Sunsets on SOMA, with the next iteration set for June 16 with live music by Mother Nature's Sons. If the first Midtown Village pop-up in May was any indication, this one is sure to be a hit.
Magnotta said the Sunsets on SOMA, "help bring the community together and provide unique experiences that are bringing people back to downtown Wilkes-Barre." She added that events like this one, as well as the wildly popular Cocktails & Culture events at the Sordoni Art Gallery, not only get folks downtown, but get them to head out for drinks or dinner afterwards at one of many great downtown restaurants. "We couldn't be happier," she said.
Also, in the very near future is NEPA Gives. As stated on the website (www.nepagives.org), it is a "one-day online giving extravaganza that's all about giving back to the community." Starting at midnight on Friday, June 3, and running for just a second short of 24 hours, ending at 11:59:59 p.m., donors are asked to make donations to their favorite 501(c)(3) nonprofits, which will then be enhanced by NEPA Gives sponsors.
In light of this day of giving, DCP is trying to raise $7,000 to support their Downtown Rebound Initiative, which includes all of the aforementioned goings-on, among many others. Funds raised for the Diamond City Partnership will go back to the area, to "bring people, life, and vitality back to downtown," Magnotta said.
And with the term "partnership" in mind, Magnotta noted that's what it's all about.
The universal theme through all of these events, pop-ups, fundraisers, and other happenings, is togetherness and unity in the face of adversity, as well as in the spirit of community.
"We have a wonderful relationship with the Mayor of the City of Wilkes-Barre and have had strong support from the folks at organizations like Geisinger, Highmark, M&T Bank, PPL, PNC Bank, and many others. It is with their backing that we have been able to orchestrate these events," Magnotta remarked.
And further evidence can be seen through efforts like Sunsets on SOMA. Not only do folks get to appreciate a good-time atmosphere in Midtown Village, they can try an adult refreshment provided by Susquehanna Brewing Company and Boozy B's or grab a gift for a loved one at the BeeHive gift shop.
Through a lens of optimism and hope and another of the reality of hard work in the name of a good cause, the DCP is hard at work promoting our home. As Magnotta said, "Everyone wants a vibrant downtown and we are doing all that we can to make that happen for Wilkes-Barre."
To stay up to date on these events, be sure to check out DCP's Facebook account @ Downtown Wilkes-Barre and Instagram @ downtownwilkesbarre.
