Bell Boulevard Businesses to Stay Open Later, Offer Specials on Thursday Nights

A number of businesses along Bell Boulevard will stay open later on Thursday nights this summer to offer specials as part of an initiative by the Bayside Village Business Improvement District to lure more shoppers to the commercial strip.  

Thursday Nights Out will kick off on May 29 and, so far, 12 business owners along the shopping strip have signed on to stay open later at night.  

Lyle Sclair, executive director of the Bayside BID, said some merchants would now remain open until as late as 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.  

Each business would rotate specials at their stores on a monthly basis. Several of the stores might offer specials all day long, while others could hold sales from noon to 7 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.  

“This way, people can do a little last minute shopping and get a bite to eat,” Sclair said. “And after 7 p.m., parking is free on Bell Boulevard. People won’t have to worry about moving their car or feeding the meter.”  

He said local residents should check with each participating store to find out information about monthly specials and what time they are being offered on Thursdays.  

So far, the businesses that have signed on for Thursday Nights Out include American Vision, Athena Jewelry, Bareburger, Bayside Florist, Donovan’s of Bayside, Erawan Thai, Karma Boutique, Press 195, Lucille Roberts, Ralph’s Italian Ices, The Tuxedo Shop of New York and VIPizza.