There’s much to be thankful about in downtown El Dorado, and downtown merchants as well as out of district pop up businesses want everyone to know about it.
Artist Vicki Cooper with her pop-up shop in Great Beginnings.
Therefore, on the first Thursday of each month through October, the downtown district is decorated with large sandwich boards and balloons announcing “Thankful Thursday.”
Sandwich boards and balloons decorated the downtown district.
With extended hours, special discounts and exclusive offers, there’s something for everyone to be thankful for.
Coach Al and a friend playing Cornhole in front of Kelly’s ETC.
This month the beautiful, sunny weather provided a perfect backdrop for shoppers as they strolled through downtown.
Shoppers were treated to walking tacos, provided by Trunk2Treasure.
Shoppers were treated to walking tacos, provided by Trunk2Treasure and vendors like Christina Starr Kreations held a drawing for a free candy bouquet.
TCG Services Chaplin Wade Graber shared information about the Kindness Matters campaign.
Wade Graber and Mike Ward with TCG Services greeted people with the “Kindness Matters” campaign. In a partnership with USD490, they want to encourage citizens to take the kindness pledge and help create a summer of kindness.
The El Dorado Chamber of Commerce planned the first ever Chocolate Crawl for February 13th but due to the extremely low temperatures brought on by the Polar Vortex, the event was rescheduled for March 6th and crawlers were not disappointed.
Wade and Peggy Graber shopping downtown while chocolate crawling.
With a bright, clear day and temperatures climbing into the 60’s, downtown El Dorado was alive with pedestrian traffic as participants made their way into local businesses to sample the chocolate treats.
A family take a break to enjoy treats in District 142.
Twenty-one (21) business locations throughout El Dorado volunteered to be “chocolate stops” and each provided sweet treats with several businesses handing out gift bags with their treats. Participants were given a passport-like ticket that had the names and locations of chocolate stops printed on the back. As they went from location to location, the ticket would be checked off by each business.
Stephen and Lindsay Mills, owners, Famers Insurance
“I thought the Chocolate Crawl was a success,” said Cameo Rector El Dorado Chamber of Commerce Director. “It not only provided the Chamber with additional operating funds but as I was crawling myself.”
Roxanne Jones of Flour Power Bakery hosted a pop-up in District 142
According to Rector, the goal of the Chamber Chocolate Crawl was to increase exposure of El Dorado’s business community and show what they have to offer.
Chocolate Crawlers with their passport tickets.
“My hope for this event was to provide community involvement that was enjoyable while also bringing value to our businesses owners,” said Rector.
Janell Crenshaw, left, owner of Shelter Insurance with her Assistant Lindsey Stalker.
“After the event, a participant reached out to me and said she had so much fun with her daughter and granddaughter,” said Rector. “Not only did they get to spend time together and gather lots of great chocolate items, they found some new businesses they didn’t know existed.”
Briana Dawson, owner of Bakery 177
“I would like to thank both the businesses owners and chocolate crawlers for their participation and involvement,” said Rector. “I am excited for the potential this event has to offer and we hope to continue it.”
Deanna Bonn 
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