LA GRANDE — Turn the first Thursday of the month into something really special by joining the Union County Chamber of Commerce for its Sip, Shop, Repeat, Local event in downtown La Grande.

The next event is March 7, 5-8 p.m.

This local gathering features more than 25 local merchants, restaurants and creatives that stay open until 8 p.m. and offer exclusive discounts.

Start your journey at the Union County Chamber of Commerce, 207 Depot St., where you can acquire a special tumbler for $20, which also doubles as a ticket for various discounts, and also pick up a map highlighting the Sip, Shop, Repeat, Local participants that showcases all of their offerings.

Beginning in August of 2022, Sip, Shop, Repeat, Local was, according to Chamber Executive Director Caitlin Harrold, envisioned as a way “to engage an audience late in the evening” for merchants and creatives of La Grande, and a “means to drive business and income.”

In nice weather, pop-up vendors are placed along Depot Street near the Chamber office selling all manner of locally produced crafts, clothing and footwear items, and various food.

In the winter months, these vendors sell their wares within the stores, with locations changing each month — even setting up shop in the Chamber office.

Along with the bargains and beverages at each stop, each shopper has a chance to enter the monthly gift basket giveaway. Every month comes with a unique theme, and this month celebrates March 7 as “National Sock Monkey Day.”

Sock monkeys are believed to be good luck charms and people give sock monkeys as gifts, especially to patients in hospitals as a symbol for a quick recovery. The Chamber is putting together a gift basket to reflect this theme with plans still in progress.

During the winter, Sip, Shop, Repeat, Local kept its loyal shoppers who get together with friends to “make an evening of it” and visit their favorite merchants and vendors.

The shop owners look forward to reconnecting with these folks each month and spending time with them, as well as meeting new people throughout the year.

Going forward, Harrold is looking forward to adding new vendors and perhaps organizing a scavenger hunt to engage shoppers, merchants, and vendors even further.