Located at University Drive and College Avenue, next to Campus Corner

Julie Kent, owner of Here on the Corner, does her part to help out the ‘starving artists’.

Here on the Corner will host a Third Thursday Local Designer Night this week on Dec. 15 at the store, in a joint-fundraising event to benefit local designers and the Tempe Leadership non-profit organization.

The boutique, located on University Drive and College Avenue, carries affordable fashions and accessories mostly from local designers and products that support a cause.

Kent holds these Local Designer Nights each month on Third Thursday.

“I promote as much as I can. And people support their friends,” Kent said.

This gives the designers a chance to meet each other, bring their friends and get their name out there.

During the event, Kent blocks off a few hours of sales and donates a certain percentage back to the designer.

“I like to do fundraising events and really enjoy volunteering. I’m just so happy that I can do both at my job. I want people to say they want to have an event here, ” Kent said.

Some of the local designers on display at Here on the Corner are Bluebird Apparel, Think Positive Apparel, Casual Cuffs, Sebastien Millon, Vintage Rose, Sarah Madeline and Alyx Marie, an ASU student studying theater, just to name a few.

Kent said, “Our biggest seller are the Tom’s one-for-one shoes, for every pair your buy they give a pair to a child in an underdeveloped country.”

Here on the Corner opened eight years ago by two local women.

“When I took over the store last May, I tried building on what they started,” said Kent. “Since then I’ve brought in a lot more lines that either, benefit the environment or the communities in some way. I’m really drawn to that. Then if you’re a local designer and you do that, it’s even better.”

There are always great deals at Here on the Corner’s Local Designer event on Third Thursday.

For the Local Designer Night this Thursday, if you spend $25 on a local designer, a hair stylist from Grooming Humans will set you up with festive tinsel hair extensions for free.

“We did it at the last one too. It went over really well,” Kent said.

There doesn’t always have to be a Third Thursday event for Kent to offer discounts. Right now, many ASU students are preparing for winter graduation. This week, if you are wear a cap and gown in the store, you will receive a 25 percent discount off of one item.

A deal each day until Christmas

Also, an advent calendar on display in the front of the shop uncovers a new deal each day until Christmas.

Wednesday’s special was $5 off a handbag. What a great incentive to customers who are finishing up holiday gift shopping!

“I can’t tell you how many people walk in and say I never came in here because it’s a boutique, I just assumed it would be expensive,” said Kent. “I rarely have any clothing over $45.”

Kent is always thinking about new events. She plans to start a spoken word event to encourage more guests to attend Third Thursday.

“What I’m trying to do is establish events that keep people coming. Like the designer night and I want to do regular spoken words. It’s just a way of getting people here that wouldn’t normally come,” Kent said.

Find a style for anyone, with local designer's creations

Kent is really open to partner up to fundraise with other organizations and brands that fit her store’s mission.

She started a fundraiser sponsored by Here on the Corner called A Race for Maggie’s Place to help pregnant, homeless women. The signature race is a 9K symbolizing the nine months of pregnancy, but also has shorter distances available for participants.

She also helped the Fashionistas at ASU club with supplying outfits for two of their fashion shows. In February, they both plan to work together to put on a fashion show for a cause.

Kent has done a lot to help local artists and further Here on the Corner’s mission in the Tempe area.

“Tempe customers are loyal to their small businesses. It’s just getting them to know that you’re here,” Kent said.

Make sure to check out Local Designer Night on Third Thursday!

Check out:

• Here on the Corner’s Facebook page
• Information on local designers at Here on the Corner
• Information on A Race for Maggie’s Place