Downtown Dayz picking up business
Here’s a cure for your economy — hand over $20 and get back $25.
That’s the dazzling rate of exchange at Abilene Downtown Dayz, and, despite the heat, shoppers and sightseers lined up for the deal Saturday.
In the shade by the splashing waterfall at Minter Park in downtown Abilene, Daniel and Ellen Rogers, of Abilene, happily tendered their $20.
“This is great,” Daniel Rogers said, pocketing their 25 Downtown Dollars. “We came out to enjoy the day and we got a good deal.” With that, they set off down Cypress Street, hand-in-hand, in search of lunch.
Sponsored by the Abilene Downtown Association, Downtown Dayz is designed to promote downtown businesses and attractions. The Dayz occur on the second Saturday of each month. Along with discounts with Downtown Dollars, which are redeemable at any time at 39 downtown businesses and attractions, visitors enjoy additional bargains at shops and restaurants, as well as special events at museums and galleries.
“It’s a way of bringing people out,” said Dennis Miller, president of the Abilene Downtown Association, “of encouraging them to discover — or rediscover — downtown Abilene.”
Anyone who happened into the Center for Contemporary Arts at mid-Dayz discovered a talented young pianist.
