Junior League Sets May 8 Date for Evening Shopping Night in Pelham.   “Love Pelham, Shop” Pelham Aims to Support Local Businesses   Pelham, NY, March 26, 2009-  During this difficult economic time, many villages are seeing long-standing businesses shut their doors. The Junior League of Pelham is trying to help prevent this dire outcome in our area by organizing a “Love Pelham, Support Pelham” shopping night. On Friday, May 8, many Pelham merchants will extend their hours from7-9 PM to encourage people to come out and shop locally. “We want to support Pelham businesses and help make this town as vibrant as it can be,” saidKara McLoughlin, event co-chair. “This is not a fundraiser per se, but it will help local businesses who provide products and services so close to home.”    ‘“Love Pelham, Support Pelham”will close Fifth Avenue to vehicular traffic from the Gazebo (on the north side of Harmon Circle) to the Pelham Art Center at Third Street. Businesses from the Village of Pelham and Pelham Manor located outside this zone will be able to set up booths and tables. The Pelham Picture House will hold a special screening at 9:30 PM. For more information about how to participate, please email {lovepelham@gmail.com} Co-chairs Lisa Koonce and Pat O’Byrne presented the idea to the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham. “Mayor Hotchkiss and some of the other Trustees gave us great suggestions as to how to focus the event,” explained Koonce. “The success of this event will come from all of the various groups working together.”   At the March 19thChamber of Commerce meeting, O’Byrne and Robin Bratone, Vice President of JLP Community Outreach, discussed the idea. “Members of the Chamber of Commerce were really enthusiastic and had some great ideas as to how they could promote their businesses for the event, “reported O’Byrne.  Members of the Junior League will be contacting local businesses individually to sign them up and to see how they can help facilitate the event and encourage local residents to shop locally. According to IndieBound (www.indiebound.org),a community-oriented movement begun by members of theAmerican Booksellers Association, shopping locally benefits the area economy, environment, and community. From more tax revenue being pumped back into the village, reduced packaging and transportation costs, and more support for local initiatives, IndieBound concludes that it’s a win-win for all to support local retailers. The May 8 “Love Pelham, Support Pelham” event is part of a series of efforts the Junior League is undertaking to support downtown. In December, the JLP held a successful shopping night where stores opened late and attracted large crowds despite torrential rain.