CAMBRIDGE – Cambridge Main Street will hold a Customer Appreciation Second Saturday on Sept. 13 to celebrate a community which supports the downtown commercial district. Merchants on High, Poplar and Race streets are getting creative to show their appreciation, and some existing businesses will open their doors at new locations. “Things are still in the works, and I know shop owners are finalizing their plans, but I have heard some really creative ideas surrounding this event,” said Cambridge Main Street Executive Director Brandon Hesson, who added that a final list of offers and merchandise specials will be available soon on its Facebook page. “There will be plenty of food and receptions in both the shops and galleries, but there is a store or two offering up some continuing customer incetive programs that are going to be worth checking out.” The Shops at Magnolia Grove and the Main Street Gallery will begin in new locations. The Shops at Magnolia Grove will also be opening on Sept. 13 at 410 Race St. The concept, created by Leslie Grove and Taylor Hale, will extend the legacy of Joie De Vivre and transform the space into a true multi-use venture. The Shops at Magnolia Grove will be the home of Race Street Gallery, Night Kitchen, LLC and Magnolia Grove Boutique. Race Street Gallery will continue to showcase the talents of local artists and artisans. The corridor linking Race Street Gallery to the other shops will be named Joie de Vivre Way to pay homage to the contribution Joy Staniforth, now retired, has made to the art community in Cambridge. Ms. Hale brings a unique sense of flavor and origin to Night Kitchen roasted coffee and spice blends. An unfinished storage area at The Shops At Magnolia Grove will expanded to include Night Kitchen’s roasting lab, complete with glass windows, to allow customers to witness the roasting while maintaining a separation from the art and textiles. A small-scale coffee service will be available Saturday, but Night Kitchen will not be open until October. At Magnolia Grove, Leslie will continue to offer curated women’s consignment, an expanded vintage selection and, to complement Night Kitchen, sourced textiles and goods from coffee producing countries. “The Shops at Magnolia Grove represent a diverse approach to downtown business,” said Mr. Hesson. “When we talk about economic revitalization downtown, inventive business models like this should attract a lot of attention. The Shops at Magnolia Grove will be interesting from wall to wall.” The Main Street Gallery will open its doors to its new home at 518 Race St. during Second Saturday festivities downtown on Sept. 13. The first show will be a lively exhibition of the cooperative gallery members’ works with paint, pottery, sculpture and other medias in their sleek new downtown space. Light refreshments will be served at the free opening reception, and there is ample parking at the rear of the gallery. “What we are seeing, again, is the power of a strong collaboration between people with an idea and willingness to work together,” said Mr. Hesson. “The Main Street Gallery should be applauded for how quickly it relocated and opened its doors. With all of those creative minds and hard-working individuals, I have no doubt they will be doing exciting things in their new location.”

Cambridge Main Street Leslie Grove has moved her shop to 410 Race St. and come up with a new diverse concept, including Night Kitchen’s small-batch coffee and some of Joie De Vive’s artists. The Shops at Magnolia Grove will open on Second Saturday, this weekend.[/caption]