Carnegie Open Air 2.0 aims to bring socially distanced business to borough
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All in all, the first borough sponsored Carnegie Open Air 2.0 event went well, according to Carnegie Mayor Stacie Riley.
The event’s first Saturday was held Sept. 5, where East Main Street from Route 50 to Elk Street was closed off to traffic to allow people walk around on the street and patronize businesses and restaurants.
“This is a creative way to bring people in to shop and enjoy and yet still keep it safe,” Riley said.
Open Air 2.0 will continue through September, and possibly through October, depending on the weather, Riley said. Saturday’s event was held from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Beginning Sept. 12, however, Open Air will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. And section of road from Broadway to Mary streets will remain open to traffic, the mayor said. Main Street will remain closed from Route 50 to Broadway Street.
Riley said the concept of opening up the streets to attract customers to the shops along Main Street was an idea first scheduled to happen in July. But the event was canceled due to the spikes in covid-19 cases, she said.
Now that cases seem to be on the decline, Riley felt comfortable launching it — hence the “2.0” attached to the moniker.
“People really liked it,” she said, adding she unfortunately missed the event. She hopes to attend the next one.
“Small businesses everywhere are struggling. We’re trying to help them thrive, but to do it safely. That’s a big one for me, keeping the community safe.”
Riley said closing the streets to traffic allows for people to properly distance. She said Saturday’s Open Air attracted no more than around 25 people at any given time.
“Considering it was a holiday weekend, and this was the first one, I think it went very well,” said Joanne Letcher, executive director of Carnegie Community Development Corporation. The organization has worked in coordination with the borough.
Letcher, who took pictures of the event on Saturday, said the retailers were happy about the event.
“A lot are saying they did the best business since the pandemic started,” she said.
George Arnold, 67, owns Modern Mercantile on East Main Street. He agreed that business boomed during the Open Air event.
“We had an awesome day,” he said. His business, which he’s owned for nine years, sells gift items and various decor. “It was really good for the sales at all the businesses. It was great to see people that hadn’t been out for a while.
Organizers emphasize the importance of social distancing and wearing masks when milling about. Masks can be removed once seated, according to a flyer for the event.