Gainesville art enthusiasts gathered Tuesday night for good company and a good time at a local restaurant’s first Stitch ‘n Bitch craft night.
The Jones B-Side, 203 SW Second Ave., invited residents to the restaurant for a night of drink specials and crafting — an event which will become weekly.
General Manager Audrey Dingeman said it’s a way to boost business and provide a creative outlet for locals.
“We’re hoping that it increases our customer base, brings more people in and keeps us open later,” Dingeman said. “We hope that it remains a positive cultural outlet for people.”
Dingeman said Cindy Steiler, the server manager, came up with the idea.
“Something I love about working here is that we all put ideas in from everywhere,” Dingeman said. “We definitely listen and do things from employee ideas.”
Gainesville resident Lorena Haldeman attended the event and wrote in an email that she was excited to be able to hang out with other crafters, and she said she’ll plan to attend more of the craft nights in the future.
The attendees all worked on different kinds of crafts throughout the night, Haldeman said, including knitting and origami.
“I think it’s always amazing when creative people get together,” Haldeman said. “Makers can be solitary people – not from being loners or anti-social … so when a room of them get together, the talk is always inspiring.”
