For the first time since anyone can remember, 11 Bainbridge downtown merchants have come together to extend holiday shopping hours during the month of December until Christmas Eve.

From now until Dec. 24, the hours on Thursdays and Fridays have been extended to 8 p.m., while Saturdays will see the stores remaining open until 4 p.m.

The following merchants want to make shopping local more convenient for those who need evening hours in order to complete their shopping lists: Bella’s Boutique, SkinCare by Jennifer, Betty’s Xchange, The Refinery, Polka Dots Gift Shop, Reeves Gifts, Jewelry & More, Mad Rose, Edgemon Crockett and Maiden South will be offering their gift selections, while The American and The Bean Café will be open and offering menus to satisfy shoppers’ hunger.

“The idea came about when Shae and Amanda at Reeve’s Gifts, Jewelry and More asked what the hours of operation were for downtown retailers during the holidays,” Downtown Executive Director Amanda Glover said, adding that numerous businesses were willing to extend their hours outside of the normal range.

“I’m hoping for it to have a positive impact on the downtown economy this year since there is such a national push to shop local and support the ‘mom and pop’ stores in our downtowns.”