While Thursday was the first day for volunteers from the city to start answering phone calls and taking reservations at the St. James Hotel, committee members and residents alike want to remind the community the place really is open.

The city is having an After Hours event at the hotel Friday to invite members of the business community to casually stop by, unwind and see the transition from a management company to a volunteer team take place.

“People need to come and see what kinds of things we are cooking up at the St. James,” Ward 2 councilmember Susan Keith said of the event. “This place is not closed, and we have some awesome and exciting things planned for the community.”

Ward 4 council member Angela Benjamin is working with Keith to host the event where they will serve drinks and allow members of the community to relax and enjoy the hotel on Friday, Aug. 2 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“This is the prime hotel on Water Avenue which is the area we are developing, so come downtown to the St. James,” Benjamin said, encouraging the community to join in. “We just want to remind people that the St. James is still here and it is still open. It is not closed for business, it is actually open.”

The event is fashioned after business after hours for working professionals to unwind, network and talk shop for several hours at the St James and then they can head home for dinner.