NATCHEZ — Labor Day might not mean big business now, but some downtown store owners hope opening Monday will bring crowds down the road.

“Some of these businesses are opening, not really expecting to have a big day, but because they know it’s important to the community overall,” Natchez Downtown Development Association President Bill Furlow.

By establishing a pattern of opening on holidays, visitors can come to expect certain things.

“People need to be confident that when they come to Natchez, there are going to be things to do,” he said.

Not every participating business will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Furlow said. Hours will vary, but they will all remain open during the main part of the day.

Karen Linton, manager of The Pampered Sole, said she was enthusiastic about staying open on Labor Day.

“I really believe Natchez is advancing toward a tourist destination,” she said. “It may not be a big day at first, but I think as we continue to do this, it’s going to become bigger.”

Linton said the shoe store would continue to open on holidays if other stores did.

Charles Hall, owner of Cover to Cover Books & More, said he was interested in being part of bringing people downtown on holidays.

“It’s one of those things that is going to take time,” Hall said. “It’s kind of a chicken and egg type thing. Which comes first, the people or the business? I think over time, it will work if it’s done on a consistent basis.”

Businesses that will open Labor Day include:

4Addie’s Antique Mall, 631 Franklin St.

4Bass Pecan Company, 408 Franklin St.

4Cover to Cover Books & More, 401 Main St.

4Daniels Basketry, 412 Main St.

4High Cotton, 312 Main St.

4Marketplace Café, 613 Main St.

4Natchez Health Food and Accessories, 621 Franklin St.

4Natchez Needlearts, 508 Franklin St.

4One-of-a-Kind Gifts and Greetings, 409 Main St.

4The Pampered Sole, 506 Franklin St.

4Pippen’s, Ltd., 708 Franklin St.

4Primitives Unlimited, 505 Franklin St.

4South Union Interiors, 411 Franklin St.

4Turning Pages Books & More, 520 Franklin St.

4Breaud’s Seafood and Steak, 511 Main St.

4City Café, 109 N. Pearl St.

4The Natchez Eola Hotel, 110 N. Pearl St.

4King’s Tavern Restaurant, 619 Jefferson St.

4Natchez Coffee Co., 509 Franklin St.

4The Pig Out Inn, 116 S. Canal St.