Smithfield — Earlier this month, The Yoga Connection and Sam & Cate, which are upstairs-downstairs neighbors on South Third Street, threw a party for their customers.

Martha Catz, who owns The Yoga Connection, and Tabatha Koziarz, who owns the gift shop, said people kept lamenting that downtown had no regular entertainment, especially on Friday evenings.

Catz recently called together downtown merchants with hopes of changing that. She led the first meeting of the Historic Downtown Merchant’s Association last Monday night.

Catz said Smithfield has a lot to offer already — a movie theater, the riverwalk, a rich history. She said businesses should work together to make the most of the town’s resources.

“We want to create a cohesive group of ideas and energy,” Catz said. “This is our livelihood, our place. If the town moves forward, we move forward. If we move forward, the town moves forward.”

The first meeting drew about 20 merchants, and four of them agreed to serve on a committee that will look to create a regular downtown. Also, the group will create a map or legend of downtown merchants.

Catz pleaded with the merchants to get to know one another and promote each other. She also suggested that business owners do what they can to keep their facades tidy and attractive.

“Do something to invite people who walk down the street,” she said.

With gas prices climbing ever higher, the time is right to show people they don’t have to drive to Raleigh for goods, services and entertainment, Catz said. “They’re going to be staying close to home, let’s give them something,” she said.

For more information about the group, call Catz at 971-1431 or send Catz an e-mail at info@theyogaconnectionnc.com.