Shoppers in Sumner will have a little extra opportunity this year to pick up gifts as many of the stores downtown have announced plans to stay open late on Thursdays through Christmas and potentially beyond.

According to Sumner Downtown Association President Arla Holzschuh, the merchants chose to stay open until 8 p.m. on Thursday evenings at least through Christmas.

“We’re going to try to keep it going,” she said.

Holzschuh said the lights on the old buildings on Main Street give the area a special feel to do holiday shopping and keeping the shops open a little later than their usual closing time of 5 p.m. will give more shoppers more opportunities to discover downtown Sumner.

“It provides a place for people to shop at the time they are available to shop,” she said.