RIVER FALLS – River Falls Business Leaders had such great success with the first downtown Taste of River Falls event, that they’re planning another for Oct. 1.  

“River Falls Business Leaders is all about supporting our businesses and nonprofits and we hope to continue doing it at the rate that we have been,” said Melissa “Mei Mei” Abdouch, owner of Mei Mei’s Cookies & Creamery. “We have quite a few events coming up.”

The Taste of River Falls idea, which features area businesses and nonprofits, actually began pre-Covid. The events were held four times a year at different breweries and wineries around the area, Abdouch said.

“But now we have started doing them downtown Main Street,” she said. “All storefront businesses move things out the sidewalk and others not located downtown have spaces along the boulevard.”

The event stretches for 2.5 to three blocks. Brickhouse Music sponsors local musicians and the PA system. The first downtown event, held June 4, went so well that the group is excited to try it again. However, they learned a couple of lessons from the first go-round. For example, parking will be reserved behind Table on Main for its regular customers.

“We learned a couple of lessons as far as set up and communication, so hopefully we have remedied all of that,” Abdouch said. “All the businesses want to come back and more. There will be more music too. It’s kind of a taste of everything we have going on in town.”

Each event the RFBL hosts raises money for a featured nonprofit organization: This time it will be Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, which helps veterans, law enforcement, fire and rescue and EMS personnel. A silent auction will be set up on Elm Street with all proceeds going to them.

People can also look forward to an ice cream eating contest at Mei Mei’s, a scavenger hunt created by parents, and a fitness challenge at Victory Sports & Wellness, each with $250 in local prizes (sponsored by RFBL). The group purchases gift cards from local businesses to use as prizes. Family Fresh will host a bouncy house and kids play area as well.

RFBL started as a chat group on Facebook where local business owners went for recommendations, networking and information. It has since evolved into a nonprofit organization whose goal is to showcase local businesses and nonprofits through fun events.

RFBL has also taken over a couple of popular events from the River Falls Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau. Ladies Night will be held 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13 in downtown River Falls. Women are encouraged to check out the retail shops and restaurants for sweet specials, along with a River Falls Women Owned Businesses market inside Riverwalk Square.

The featured nonprofit for this event will be Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic & Sexual Violence, which will benefit from a silent auction featuring River Falls products and services.

“This is a super fun event that has been quite popular,” Abdouch said. “The event starts and ends at the space next to 3 Schweet Sisters on Maple and Main. That is where you can pick up your passport, turn your passport back in, bid on silent auction items and shop at other women-owned businesses that do no have downtown storefronts. The night is all about celebrating women.”

RFBL will also host Trick on Treat on Main Street on Halloween.

For more information, find River Falls Business Leaders on Facebook.