DeKalb celebrated its downtown Friday night as the city hosted the second annual “Eat Dessert First” Ladies Night Out.

Stores in downtown DeKalb extended their hours and held in-store discounts for those who partook in the events.

Restaurants such as Eduardo’s, 214 E. Lincoln Highway; O’Leary’s, 260 E. Lincoln Highway; Tapalaluna, 226 E. Lincoln Highway; Upper Deck, 722 E. Lincoln Highway; and the Hillside Restaurant, 121 N. Second St., held various dinner and drink specials throughout the night.

“It was a great night, lots of ladies came out with their girlfriends or they brought a gentleman along to have dinner and shop with,” said Jennifer Groce, executive director of Re:New DeKalb.
Groce held an information table outside of Eduardo’s for ladies to come receive maps, lists of stores and discounts and a complimentary chocolate-covered strawberry.

In addition to having discount specials, many stores also provided treats and desserts for the shoppers to enjoy while walking the downtown area.

Sister stores Moxie, 230 E. Lincoln Highway, and Megan Morrison Home and Garden, 237 E. Lincoln Highway, held a 10 percent–off discount and provided brownies for customers.

Moxie employee Alison Mason said the store had a great turnout considering the cool, rainy weather. This year was probably even busier than last year’s first annual event, because of the increased amount of advertising beforehand and getting the word out to the community, Mason said.

“It’s definitely worth seeing people out walking the downtown area,” said Courtney Wilson, manager of Megan Morrison Home and Garden. “It makes the downtown look lively.”

Groce was surprised to see an increased amount of NIU students walking the downtown area this year.

“It’s a great way to see Northern students get acquainted with downtown,” she said.

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