Downtown Denton businesses have announced their Halloween decorations following the award of grants from the Downtown Denton Foundation. The program distributed $7,500 to 20 local establishments, doubling the number of recipients compared to previous years.
Kristen Kendrick, the foundation's president and director of the UNT CoLab, stated that the goal is to encourage broader participation among downtown businesses to enhance the overall atmosphere of the district.
The grant program was previously administered by the Denton Main Street Association, which the foundation absorbed in April. This administrative change expanded eligibility to all downtown businesses, not just association members. To accommodate the increased number of applicants, the foundation introduced a new $250 tier alongside the existing $500 award.
Kendrick noted that the financial support helps businesses purchase materials and recognize the effort involved in planning seasonal displays.
Hannah’s, a restaurant located at 111 W. Mulberry St., is using its grant to transform the 100 block of the street into an outdoor masquerade setting. Co-owner Kerry Shirley explained that the design, featuring masks and bright lights, aims to draw visitors to the south side of the square and encourage exploration of neighboring shops.
The restaurant will also operate a bar called the “Spookeasy” on weekends, serving Halloween-themed drinks. Shirley emphasized that while the grant provides a starting point, businesses are also investing their own resources to create these experiences.
