The Eastpointe Downtown Development Authority is partnering with area businesses to light up the Gratiot Avenue corridor for the holidays.
The DDA provided $20,000 in grant funds for businesses in the DDA area to adorn their buildings with holiday lights.
“It is not reinventing the wheel, but it is meant to bring joy and holiday magic to the gateway to Macomb County,” said Eastpointe Economic Development Director Ian McCain.
The idea was developed by Fusion Marketing owner John Hofmann, who launched Light Up The Night on his own last year in effort to entice Eastpointe businesses on the Gratiot corridor to cover their facades with lights. Rochester’s business district is known for its holiday light display and Hofmann believes Eastpointe can develop its own brand of festive light presentation.
“I don’t have words for how excited I am,” said Hofmann. “I was hopeful that in time this would slowly catch on so I am beside myself that last year we had two or three businesses participating and now we were able to secure grant money for this.
“We are going to be lighting up two city blocks.”
The Eastpointe DDA partnered with Shine of Grosse Pointe for installation of the holiday lights this year. McCain said the city has received Light Up The Night applications from 10 businesses and he expects all will be approved so that Shine can begin light installation next week.
“We are going to try to cover as much of the buildings as possible with lights,” McCain said. “Shine is providing discounts for their services with this project and I’m so glad John brought this idea to me several months ago.”
Hofmann said he approached McCain in March and that planning for Light Up The Night has been ongoing since that time.
Grant funding is available only to businesses within Eastpointe’s DDA district, but other businesses,, especially those on the Gratiot corridor, are encouraged to participate.
“AOK Appliance on Nine Mile just west of Gratiot heard about it and they already went out to buy Christmas lights because they want to be part of it,” Hofmann said.
The plan is for all businesses to turn their holiday lights on at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30 in coordination with the city’s annual tree lighting ceremony, which is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. at Eastpointe City Hall and will include music, a free seed giveaway from Urban Seed Community Garden, arts and crafts and of course, a visit from Santa Claus.
Hofmann said the idea for businesses to light up their facades came to him late last year but too late for businesses to participate. His desire to partner with the city and coordinate the event with the city’s tree lighting has come to fruition and he could not be more excited.
“It is such a simple concept that can really help our businesses,” said Hofmann. “I hope this takes root and becomes an Eastpointe tradition.
“Once people see it happening, it is easier for them to get on board.”
