Hyde Park’s First Thursday event has become more user-friendly with the addition of a new app and website. The monthly shopping night takes place the first Thursdays of May through November from 5-8 p.m., and includes 50+ local businesses on 53rd, 55th, and 57th Streets as well as the surrounding commercial streets.
Now in its third year, First Thursday is a chance for shoppers to enjoy discounts, samples, special menu items, and more from participating Hyde Park businesses; and it’s a great way for local business owners to connect with new customers.
The free First Thursday app is available for download at the Apple App Store and Google Play. App users can search deals from participating businesses in shopping, food and drink, entertainment, lifestyle, and services categories. Once a user clicks on a participating business, he or she can “favorite” the offer, see the business’ location on a map, visit the business’ website, and share the offer with friends via text, email, Twitter, and Facebook. With location services enabled, offers will pop up as alerts when the user walks within a few feet of a participating business. The app also includes a full calendar of Hyde Park events, and an overall map showing First Thursday businesses color-coded by offer type.
The updated First Thursday website allows users to browse participating businesses by category or location and view in a list or a grid, as well as the map and calendar functionality.
The July First Thursday event is on Thursday, July 5, from 5-8 p.m. and is part of an entire week of Hyde Park fun, including:
Wednesday, July 4
4th on 53rd Parade, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday, July 5
Downtown Hyde Park Farmers Market, 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Harper Court Summer Music Series, 6-9 p.m. with Mark deClive-Lowe, Lady Alma, Dwight Trible, Teodross Avery, and Isaiah Spencer
Friday, July 6
Jazz in the Courtyard, 12-2 p.m. with Denise Thimes
Saturday, July 7
Zumba at Kimbark Plaza, 9-10 a.m.
Sunday, July 8
George Franklin Summer Concert Series, 4-6 p.m.
