MONROE - Downtown stores will stay open until 7 p.m. every first Thursday of the month until December as part of a push to generate more business on the Square after people are done with work.

The First Thursday of the Month is a new promotion that encourages businesses downtown to stay open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays rather than closing at their normal time of 5 p.m. It gives people an opportunity to shop after work, meeting a demand from those who usually can't shop during the day due to their schedules.

So far, 16 downtown businesses are participating in First Thursday.

"It's another way to showcase retail in downtown Monroe," Main Street Monroe Director Jordan Nordby said.

He said the Main Street Promotion Committee, which is made up of local business representatives, originally met to find a way to raise the profile of the area's businesses.

"It was really a local grassroots effort," Nordby said.

He added that First Thursday lines up with weekend events, including Concerts in the Square every Friday and the farmers market on Saturday.

"There's more opportunity to come downtown," Nordby said.

JoAnne's Dress Shop owner JoAnne Leuenberger, who also serves on the committee, said discussions to feature a day with extended shop hours began last year but fell through because it was deemed too late in the year to start.

The focus was to bring people downtown on a night when not a lot was happening on the Square, she said.

Leuenberger said she got positive input from other businesses in the downtown area.

"If all went well," she said, "maybe they'll be open every Thursday night."

Currently, nine of the 16 participating shops are open later every Thursday, including JoAnne's Dress Shop.

While Leuenberger said her business has been a little bit busier on Thursday nights, she hopes more people come downtown in the evenings and that more stores keep longer hours on Thursdays.

The Green Door owner Judi Henke said she has no problem staying open later every Thursday as long as business picks up.

"It would be nice for the working guys and gals to shop after work," she said.

The Green Door is one of the seven shops that is only open until 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month.

Henke said there was no hesitation about keeping her store open later on a Thursday.

House to Home Designs owner Robin Nafzger said her store has been open until

7 p.m. every Thursday, and she hopes this will help all businesses in downtown Monroe.

"Anything to encourage people to shop after (normal business) hours is good," she said.

Nafzger said she understands the frustration for people when stores close at 5 p.m.

"I get that" she said. "To shut the doors at 5 p.m. doesn't make sense."

While this is a new event in Monroe, Nafzger hopes it is successful enough to convince businesses to stay open every Thursday until 7 p.m.

"(Downtown will) be more inviting when more shops are open," she said.

Nordby believes the First Thursday concept also will help local restaurants and bars. It will give locals the opportunity to eat before they shop, he said.

While First Thursday is new, he hopes it will become a trend for the coming years.

"Our goal is to continue this next year," Nordby said.

The next First Thursday is this week and will continue every month until Dec. 3.