Vendors will be set up in Otho, Callender, Moorland, Knierim, Rockwell City, Manson, Pomeroy, Palmer and Clare, as 14 different small town shops will take part in the event.

Kaitlyn Stewart was one of the key people behind the movement to help promote and take advantage of all businesses’ connections to the road.

“We wanted to find a fun way to bring attention to small businesses in the area,” Stewart said. “And offer people a weekend opportunity to make a fun day of visiting all the shops.”

Stewart, along with Andrea Grady, got help from Janis Miller in putting it together.

“It kind of took off once we had the idea for the Shop Hop,” Stewart said. “We had a lot of help from Janis with connecting us to different businesses.

“Once more people were involved, we could connect and find other small shops that wanted to participate.”

The stops will include Brickyard Antiques in Otho; Hummingbird Confections & CAC Crafting and the Callender Community Center in Callender; Secrets in Moorland; the Knierim Community Center in Knierim; Trash & Treasures in Rockwell City; Lizzy’s Gift, Thrift & Consignment in Pomeroy; 600th St Retro in Palmer; and Uptown Elegance in Clare.

Five stops are scheduled for Manson with Kelly’s Country Relics, J & J Candles, State Of The Art Signs, Thoma Flooring & More, Redone By Angie, and Mainline Boutique.

“I think it is important to showcase small business and bring attention to these small town shops,” Stewart said. “A lot of people may not even realize they are there. These business owners have worked hard to keep their places alive, especially during the pandemic, so it’s imperative to continue to show support.

“A lot of these places on the map were/or are on the brink of closing their doors. Uptown Elegance just recently reopened its doors from the pandemic. We want everyone to thrive, so this is just one small step in helping to do that.”

The plan is to continue doing the event in the spring and fall every year.

“This event merely evolved as a way to support small businesses and draw people into their doors,” Stewart said. “Each business offers something a little different and then we have the town hall in Knierim and the Community Center in Callender that will be holding additional vendors.

“A few businesses are also bringing in some home base vendors for the day. Really, it’s just an event to push small businesses and show support for them.”