CORRECTION: The original version of this article contained the the wrong name of one of the businesses, Just For You. Elon News Network regrets this error.

A line of pink could be seen down West Main Street as local women gathered for Gibsonville Girls Night on April 4. With shops open until 8 p.m., attendees dress in pink and go shopping. The event only happens once in the fall and in the spring. 

The event was started because of … well women. Chelsea Dickey, a contracted economic development director for the small town; Wanda Small, owner of Just For You; and Maghon Taylor, owner of All She Wrote Notes; noticed that there were many female-owned small businesses in downtown Gibsonville. 

“We were looking to come together and do something fun as girls,” Dickey said. “But also do something fun for the girls of Gibsonville.”

Dickey said a majority of the retail shops make their rent that month within the three-hour window of the event. She said it’s the businesses that really show out that make this event all the different. 

“Just seeing the success of the stores themselves and hearing many people say, ‘Oh, I didn’t know this store was there,’” Dickey said. 

The Vintage Sisters is a vintage and antique shop. Gibsonville natives Debbie Porch and her two sisters, Cindy and Cathy, opened Vintage Sisters just a year ago this past February. This year they are giving away baked goods to customers and raffling off a blue and white antique tea pot. She said they try to make it a special night for the ladies. 

“They bring their friends, their sisters, their mothers, so it’s just a lot of fun,” Porch said. “It’s good business for the town too.”

Porch said her favorite part is getting to see old friends and make new ones along the way. She also enjoys working with her family. Gibsonville Girls Night is also one of the few times her mother joins them at the shop. 

Jacqui Harris stopped by downtown Gibsonville earlier to buy her bright neon pink t-shirt with the Gibsonville Girl printed. She had bought the sweatshirt previously, but with the weather hiking up to 86 degrees yesterday, she knew she had to run a quick errand into town. 

Her and her husband Delroy, had just retired and moved to Gibsonville in October, marking this her first Gibsonville Girls Night. She said she couldn’t be happier. 

“I wasn’t gonna miss it,” Harris said. “I was so excited.”

In fact Harris made her husband tag along with her as they strolled downtown. As a newcomer, Harris said everyone is so friendly and she has enjoyed shopping for herself and her daughters. 

Through humid and hot weather to a possible hurricane passing, Dickey said she enjoys putting on the event. Once it hits 5 o’clock she can put on her pink t-shirt and enjoy the festivities. 

“It’s fun just to have an excuse for the women here to come and show out and be girly,” Dickey said.