Downtown Franklin Merchants Collaborate in Dog Days of Summer Fundraiser; Raised $7,000 in 2012

More than 20 downtown Franklin merchants will support local charities together Tuesday, Aug. 27 through the second annual “Dog Days of Summer,” a collaborative fundraising effort coordinated by the non-profit Downtown Franklin Association (DFA).

Participants will donate 10 to 15 percent of sales between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. to a non-profit organization of their choice. Each shop or restaurant is within a four-block walking distance, and all of the involved merchants are leaving their doors open later for the benefit.

In its second year, the unified effort among local merchants helped raise more than $7,000 in July 2012.

Several of the businesses –Mellow Mushroom, Kimbro’s and Shoppes on Main, among others—are choosing animal welfare organizations to tie in with the event’s theme. Other locations have picked non-profits ranging from healthcare groups to children’s advocacy programs, and many will support a cause that is near and dear to both their customers’ and their own hearts.

A few additional highlights:

• Town’s End General Store on W. Main Street will support Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County’s Women Build Project. In addition to donating 15% of sales to the charity, Owner Cindy Townsend will also house a large sandbox, built to resemble a pirate box—and will take bids on the structure to help boost funds.
• Handy Hardware—Williamson County’s oldest continuously operating hardware store—and Graceworks Ministries Food Pantry have partnered to help those in need during Dog Days of Summer. In conjunction with this one-day sale effort, Handy Hardware is also holding a can goods drive for Graceworks on Aug. 27.
• Main Street Toy Shoppe will support Brain Tumor Humor. Store Owner Kim LaRocca’s son passed away in 2011 at the age of 12 years old, after battling a brain stem tumor for 17 months.
• Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant will support the Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee. Puckett’s family of restaurants Owner Andy Marshall was part of the organization as a youth, and recently spoke at the Boys & Girls Club of Maury County’s Great Futures luncheon.
• Though the Franklin Theatre is not open on Tuesdays, the historic venue will be participating in the annual event by donating a portion of popcorn sales to Williamson County CASA (WCCASA) on Sunday, Aug. 25. Theatre neighbor JONDIE boutique will also support WCCASA on Tuesday.

A complete list of participating restaurants and charities are listed below:

• Chick-Fila-A supporting GraceWorks Ministries
• Coffee House on Second & Bridge supporting The Bubba Foundation
• Frothy Monkey supporting High Hopes

• Kimbro’s Cafe & Pickin’ Parlor supporting We Help Animals.com

• McCreary’s Irish Pub supporting GEAR Foundation/Our Thrift Store

• Mellow Mushroom supporting Tennessee Death Row Dogs

• Puckett’s Boat House supporting Harpeth Watershed Association

• Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant supporting Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee

• Sweet CeCe’s supporting STARS of Nashville

A complete list of participating merchants and charities are listed below:

• Avec Moi supporting JDRS (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)

• Boutique MMM supporting Wounded Warriors Project

• Carpe Diem supporting We Help Animals.com

• Franklin Theatre supporting Williamson County CASA
• Handy Hardware supporting GraceWorks Ministries

• Heart and Hands supporting Animal Control of Williamson County

• The Heirloom Shop supporting Hard Bargain Association

• JONDIE boutique supporting Williamson County CASA

• Kelly Spalding Designs supporting Franklin High School Boys Basketball Boosters

• Main Street Toy Shoppe supporting Brain Tumor Humor

• Philanthropy boutique supporting Lambscroft

• Shoppes on Main supporting Williamson Country Animal Control

• The Cellar supporting Brightstone

• Town’s End General Store supporting Habitat for Humanity

 

The DFA is a nationally certified Main Street Program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and a division of the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County. Members are dedicated to the continued revitalization and promotion of Historic Downtown Franklin.