Support for Fashion’s Night Out may have waned nationally, but the Savannah business community and the city’s lead economic development administrator are working to keep the show alive.
National organizers Wednesday announced the annual shopping and fashion event was “on hiatus” for 2013 and then crafted this phrase, explaining it was “to enable retailers to channel their resources more in keeping with their current priorities.”
City of Savannah’s MarRonde Lumpkin-Lotson said local interest has always been strong, and while the city hasn’t contributed financially, it has provided police, sanitation and other in-kind services.
“I can’t imagine why we would not continue,” she said, adding that downtown businesses and residents have supported the September shows. “We’ve been fortunate to have an event that the entire community has embraced.”
Cecilia Russo, a member of the local Fashion’s Night Out committee, said organizers are working to produce the show locally.
The show gives businesses added economic opportunity because of the extended hours, the closed streets and the chance to combine fashion, shopping and art, Russo said.
“It’s an evening unlike any evening in Savannah,” she said.