Local businesses will come together for an after hours event at the Junction Shopping Center, 818 W. Lincoln Highway, tonight.

Sunshine Scoop Shoppe & Bakery, Babs & Cocos Tea Emporium, Fushi Yami and Pizza Villa will be offering different samples and deals for the event.

“Each business will offer something different,” said Matt Duffy, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce marketing/membership director. “Sunshine Scoop Shoppe & Bakery and Babs and Cocos Tea Emporium will each be providing samples of what they offer while Fushi Yami and Pizza Villa will be offering dinner specials for the event to promote those attending to have dinner at their location.”

In addition to having the opportunity to sample different local foods, Babs and Cocos Tea Emporium will provide live music to those in attendance.

“We have a string quartet of local high school students that is going to be playing,” said Barb Bischoff, Babs & Cocos Tea Emporium co-owner.

Duffy said the event was planned in conjunction with Brian Weydert from Sunshine Scoop Shoppe & Bakery.

“Basically the Sunshine Scoop Shoppe & Bakery opened up recently and we work with them,” said Pizza Villa Co-owner John Finn.

Finn said the event won’t be any different from their normal fare.

“Tuesday night is our family night every week already,” Finn said. “We don’t do a lot with coupons. It’s kind of our ‘thank you’ every week to everybody.”

This after hours event is not a new concept for the community. The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce has a monthly schedule of business after hours events.

“Our business after hours events are meant for an opportunity for our member businesses and organizations to showcase what they have to offer,” Duffy said. “We try to partner up multiple members to provide for an even better chance for people to find out about additional members. The After Hours are open to the community with the target of providing networking opportunities to our members.”