BROOKHAVEN — It’s time for the girls to go shopping.

The annual Girls Night Out event sponsored by the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce starts Thursday afternoon with coupons good from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. It is the 11th year for the event. 

Expectations and Expectations Too owner Angie Warren on Tuesday said her staff is prepared for the big day by organizing the store spaciously so it feels comfortable and easy to mingle. She wants the store to be able to handle an influx of people from Southwest Mississippi and Southeast Louisiana. 

“Girls Night Out has come a long way since the first time they ever had it. It has evolved and changed,” Warren said. “I think it is important that our local folks support small businesses. In Brookhaven, you can buy anything you could need here. There is something for everyone here in Brookhaven. Girls Night Out promotes local shopping and our town.”

The event serves a few different purposes, she said. It is the kickoff for the summer; it encourages people to shop locally; and it helps people get out and shop for great bargains. 

Warren said it is a crazy but fun night and one that helps retail stores get through the lull they feel during June and July. Typically, business is slow until the end of July when people start to buy things for back to school and college gamedays.

“There is a summer slump. It can be so hot people don’t want to get out of the house,” Warren said. “We hope people will remember things they saw in our store they didn’t get and come get them Thursday.” 

Tickets for the event are on sale for $25 this week at the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce. A ticket includes a Girls Night Out T-shirt in pink, a beach tote, a coupon book with great discounts to all 31 participating retailers, and a $10 meal voucher at the restaurant of their choice from June 16 to June 18. 

For more info you can call the chamber at  601-833-1411 or email admin@brookhavenchamber.com.