Students and Ames residents alike, not willing to let the summer end on a dull note, gathered once more for a warm weekend night in Campustown Saturday.

*Zushy, 2406 Lincoln Way, threw a party at Bali Satay, 2424 Lincoln Way, to celebrate its one-year anniversary of opening.

DJ Jason Funke started off the night flowing electronica through the sound system. Speakers were turned up and continually got louder as the night went on. The beats heard from the well-traveled sidewalks generated the interest of many passers-by.

“At first, it’s all the regulars — employees, DJs, friends.” said Dan Forrester, *Zushy’s sales manager. “People who we count on — they’re always at *Zushy parties.”

A disco ball shone across the ceiling and wooden floor, begging for dancing. Music continued all night with DJs Christopher Hyde and John Solarz taking over, making good use of the four turntables.

The Saturday night event was the culmination of a week of partying for *Zushy. The week-long event, a “48-hour party,” began with the store opening Monday, a day when the purple-colored building is usually vacant.

“Back to school week is going to be really big,” said Liza Kindred, *Zushy owner. “We wanted to do something really fun.”

The store was open from noon-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Kindred said she is really excited to promote new clothing lines, including names such as Fine, French Kitty and Buffalo.

“For the first time, we’re going to have men’s jeans,” Kindred said of the Buffalo line.

Forrester said *Zushy is unique for carrying the line.

“I think it’s super rad,” Forrester said. “You can’t find this stuff anywhere in Iowa.”

DJs played every hour the store was open during the week. The music was loud and pulsing, attracting a few newcomers from the sidewalk. Kindred even tried her luck at the turntables, though she objects to being called a DJ.

“I have got to play this song,” she said Wednesday afternoon, smiling as the bass pounded from the speakers.

Both Kindred and Forrester said they hoped to bring new students in to see the remodeled store.

“It’s a shame,” Forrester said. “People in this town don’t appreciate how cool this is. People have a lack of awareness.”

The week went well, despite scalding temperatures and next to non-existent Campustown parking, he said.

“People just love this place,” Forrester said of the people who are aware of *Zushy’s existence. “The neatest thing about this place is that it fosters ideas.”

Throughout the week, as well as the ending party, one theme was present: community. Through the use of local DJs, old friends and the efforts of meeting new customers, it was clear *Zushy was trying to involve Ames residents and businesses.

“To have DJs there all the time, all week, makes it a very welcoming event,” Ferry said. Kindred said *Zushy works with local designers to create a unique blend of style not found in conventional shopping arenas.

“I think a lot of people are surprised that we’re here in Ames,” Kindred said. “That’s one of the challenges of having a store that’s not in a mall.”