Main Street to Close for Gardenviews Block Party

Gardenviews, open for almost two decades, is a staple in downtown Northvile.

The home and garden decor shop is thanking its customers and the community tonight at its 18th Anniversary Block Party. 

After the annual flower sale is over, Main Street between Center and Hutton streets will be lined with tables from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Restaurants will bring their food out to the streets while "Billy Mack & the Juke Joint Johnnies" perform in front of Comerica Bank.

Co-owner Lou Mascolo said he always wanted to have a block party in Northville, especially because he had them often when he lived in New York.

"We had a petting zoo on our anniversary for 17 years. At our old store it worked out well because we had plenty of space," he said.

Gardenviews was first in the location of the old gas station where the Garage Grill & Fuel Bar is now. Gardenviews moved one and a half blocks east in 2010 to 117 East Main Street.

The petting zoo continued to be at the anniversary celebrations for two years, but Mascolo said the limited space was making it difficult.

"When that happened I decided I wanted to do something else to celebrate the anniversary," he said.

Local restaurant vendors include Genitti's, Buckminster's, Le George Mediterranean Bistro, Tuscan Cafe, Fred's Ice Cream and Hiller's Market. There will be lemonade, fried chicken, hot dogs, water melon, ice cream, kettle corn and more. 

Mascolo said it's all a way of saying thank you to the community.

"We'll keep the streets closed for as long as people want to stay," he said.