With the holiday bustle long over, the shops of downtown Stillwater have been brainstorming new ways to bring a little more excitement to the cold, dull season.  The result of this power thinking session was the first ever Brick Alley Bash.

The Brick Alley Bash took place Mar. 1, located in the Brick Alley building in downtown Stillwater.  The Mainstream Boutique, a supporter and participant in the bash, had organized a fashion show to promote their new spring clothing items.

The fashion show started at 12:00p.m. in the foyer area in front of Smalley’s Caribbean BBQ and showcased accessories from the surrounding Allure Jewelry, Belle Via & Betty June’s stores.

In addition the fashion show, the Brick Alley Bash also had music by the Rhythm Rooster’s and other store specials, including Mainstream Boutique’s 25 percent storewide and additional 60-70 percent off for winter items.

This new event was started just this year as a way to bring more customers into downtown Stillwater during the slow post-holiday season.

“I got to thinking about it, and I know the Grand Garage had their come-in-from-the-cold event earlier, so I thought, why don’t we do the same thing? And everybody’s on-board,” said Barb Garden, the event organizer, in an interview with the Stillwater Gazette.

In addition to just being a downtown get-together, many of the participating stores are offering special discounts for the event.

These discounts include 20 percent off jewelry and free cleaning at Allure, Mainstream Boutique’s 25 percent storewide and additional 60-70 percent off for winter items.  and Winter clearance sales at some of the clothing stores

In addition to special sales, stores are offering special demonstrations and events.

Live music was provided by the Rhythm Roosters, a local rhythm and blues band based out of the Twin Cities, led by John Garden.   Their next performance is on Apr. 18 at Manitou Station White Bear Lake.

Despite all of the interesting events and special sales, Garden thought people might not come because of the cold temperatures.

“I know it’ll be cold, but I think it will be a lot of fun and I hope people come on out,” said Garden.

No worries, however because many event attenders went despite the weather.

“It was really a nice event! Warmer weather would help!” said Sherri Hopfe on the Mainstream Boutique’s Facebook page.

No worries for people who missed out on the first Brick Alley Bash though!

”We want to do it again maybe in June!” said the Mainstream Boutique on their Facebook page.