Being in business is tough — according to data from the US Small Business Administration, fewer than 3 in 10 new businesses make it to their 10th birthday.

Collectively, however, the businesses of historic downtown Silver City have been around more than 1,199 years — and this month’s AmBank First Fridays celebrates that longevity with free cake, brownies, live music, specials and more on Friday evening, March 1.

“We knew that our downtown merchants were committed for the long haul,” said Nick Seibel, Silver City MainStreet manager. “But when we surveyed business owners this month and found out that our 150 or so businesses together have been around more than a millennium, well, that seemed like something worth celebrating.”

Besides specials up and down the street from 4 to 7 pm Friday, some merchants will offer additional goodies. Silver Spirit Gallery at 215 W Broadway will be celebrating its 9th year with free birthday cake, and Annie Crawford at Twin Sisters Cycling and Fitness, 303 N Bullard St, will be serving up pieces of a giant brownie from Millie’s Bake House in honor of 14 years in business.

“I love that there are always new and exciting businesses downtown, but sometimes we forget that the support of the community has allowed some of our merchants to thrive for decades,” Seibel said. “From Morning Star’s 21 years in business to Home Furniture’s 78 years to Sierra Communications’ 86, we’ve got a lot of commitment, tenacity and sound business represented down here.”

As always, AmBank First Fridays will also feature lots of free live music, including local favorites The Roadrunners at Diane’s Parlor beginning at 6:30 pm, and Paul and Dale on guitar playing at Yankie Creek Coffee House from 6 to 8 pm.

Not satisfied with the success of the more than three-year-old AmBank First Fridays Downtown event, MainStreet staff and volunteers have big plans in store for its future as well.

“We’re working hard on April’s event, which will be the debut of downtown’s Big Weekend—spreading the fun of AmBank First Fridays into Saturday afternoon and beyond,” Seibel said.  “We’re looking forward to sharing more details as the month goes on.”

More information about AmBank First Fridays events, as well as future plans for the new Big Weekend, can be found online at www.SilverCityMainStreet.com, or by calling the MainStreet office at (575) 534-1700.