A Downtown Oak Park official said increasing the price of Thursday Night Out ticket booklets this year was a tough decision, but rising food costs and the popularity of the event made it necessary.
Thursday Night Out begins May 21 and runs until Aug. 27. For $16, diners get a booklet containing four tickets. The tickets can be used between 5 and 9 p.m. each Thursday at participating restaurants to purchase specific menu items.
Menus will change each month and feature drinks, appetizers, entrees and desserts, and tables are set up along Marion Street so diners can enjoy food and music al fresco. About 20 restaurants are participating, said Downtown Oak Park’s marketing director, Shanon Williams.
Williams said they decided to raise the price per booklet this year from $12 to $16, due to increasing food costs and the toll the event takes on the restaurants.
The community-focused event, which began as a marketing opportunity for the area’s restaurants, easily brings 500 people to Marion Street each Thursday, Williams said. Last year, 7,300 booklets were sold over the course of the summer.
“It has grown into quite the event,” she said.
The booklet price had been $12 for 10 years, Williams said. Although she expects some pushback on the increase, she thinks most people will understand.
“We held out for the longest time,” she said.
Jim Newman, owner of Mancini’s Italian Bistro on Lake Street, said the restaurant has been involved in the event for several years, and it had become difficult to offer a quality meal for $3.
Although the booklet cost increase assists the restaurants, Newman believes it’s still a great deal for diners, between the food and entertainment offered.
Newman said they plan to offer staples like fried calamari, pumpkin ravioli and house-made gelato, and bring back lasagna.
“It’s a really fun event for everybody here at the restaurant,” he said.
Williams said the event is a prime opportunity for new businesses to gain exposure, and Downtown Oak Park newcomers the Little Gem Café on North Marion Street and Beer Shop on North Boulevard both are participating this summer.
Judith Lalor, owner of the Little Gem Café, said they’re excited to get involved in the action within the business district.
“Once the spring and summer comes, there’s a real buzz,” Lalor said. The restaurant’s Thursday Night Out menu offerings will feature sliders, hummus and pita, and sesame-crusted Brie.
Another change will be a consistent beer and wine tent hosted by a different restaurant every Thursday, with drinks available for purchase, Williams said.
“Last year, we just did it a few times to see the response to it, and it was really good,” she said.
Williams also said they’ve stepped up the variety of musical acts this year, featuring more global sounds including Puerto Rican and Caribbean, Russian, flamenco, Japanese, bluegrass and gypsy jazz music.
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While just a portion of Marion Street was closed for the event in the past, the street will be closed from Lake Street to North Boulevard each week this year, Williams said.
For more information, visit http://www.downtownoakpark.net/signature-event/thursday-night/.
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.