Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A pair of life-sized doll boxes stood along the sidewalk downtown on Friday afternoon, a part of last week’s Barbie-themed Sip & Shop. Coinciding with the recent release of the Barbie movie, shoppers and passers-by could pose as Barbie and Ken in the displays.

In addition to the photo op, shops such as Rivers and Bridge and Mills Apparel offered various vendors that matched the iconic doll’s theme, as well as cups of Southern Philosophy’s Pink Drink, or “Malibu Pink Punch”.

Ansley Holden, owner and founder of Rivers and Bridge, spoke about the choice of theme, attributing credit for the idea to Morgan Mills of Mills Apparel. “Morgan wanted to do a Barbie theme, so we just kind of followed her lead on that,” Holden said. Rivers and Bridge’s vendors had more of a focus on the Kens in the crowd, with Mills catering more towards the ladies. “My Ken version was a lot more ‘Southern gentleman’ than what you would typically think of Ken to be, hers were very much on theme for Barbie,” she added.

According to Holden, she felt Sip and Shop had suffered from poor marketing in recent months, which led to her and Mills partnering to market it this month. “I think marketing plays a big role in how well Sip & Shop does,” she explained. “So in the future, I think at least this building, if not some of the other retailers, if they’re interested, are gonna start making themed ones. I think people find that a lot of fun and enticing to want to come to.” It seems this themed wager panned out, with Holden estimating around 150 or more attended the event.

“I’m very thankful to have other friends and retailers who want to market together, instead of us all competing against one another,” Holden said. “We come together and get people out, and want to explore downtown, so I hope that trend continues, so we’re all working together for the greater good.”

The next Sip & Shop is scheduled for August 25.