Small Business Saturday, a burst of activity in the community
by Diane Rockall
Opportunities for shopping and beginning the Christmas season close to home were everywhere in Stockbridge on Nov. 30, Small Business Saturday.
I began my adventure at 11 with the Open Air Market goes indoors at Stockbridge Presbyterian Church. Joan Tucker covered that event in a separate article. So I will just add a special thanks to Katy and Linda for their continuing efforts at gathering and serving the wonderful $5.00 luncheons the church ladies provide as part of the annual event. Also special thanks to Suzi Greenway for the enthusiasm that keeps the shoppers happy and coming back for more. The remaining markets will be advertised in the Stockbridge Community News but are planned for Jan. 11, Feb. 8, March 14 and April 3.
Next I visited two of the businesses in downtown Stockbridge, Country Petals, jammed with all kinds of special gifts for the holiday season, is impossible to walk through and come out with nothing. My second stop was Hometown Pharmacy which was providing a 40% off, day-only coupon for one Holiday gift item. Who can pass that up? The pharmacy is also giving away 25% off coupons for use on most things in the store if you get a shot, flu or any other. Remember it is a good time to get that flu shot if you haven’t yet done so.
Next on the agenda was the Panther Cubs PTO One Stop Shopping, the second annual such event, this year at the high school. Supervising PTO President Reaghan Walz supervised. joined with about 140 vendors, far too numerous to mention, to provide an interesting variety of wood and metal craft items, delicious smelling and tasting foods, books, cosmetics, glassware, fabric goods, and a wide range of other items. Local Brownies sold candy and nuts while the Girl Scouts sold live Christmas wreaths. The market ran from 10 to 4.
Leaving that shopping event meant a trip back through downtown Stockbridge where Sundaes with Santa was just beginning. The Stockbridge Lions handle this fun program every year and provide scoops of ice cream with various toppings for all of Santa’s visitors. Participants also got a chance to vote in a variety of categories for Gingerbread house honors. Many young visitors took the time to first write Santa a letter and later meet him.
I headed home exhausted, unable to wait another 45 minutes for the Festival of Lights to begin at 6 p.m.. Hope Salyer covered the parade and lights, posted on this website and soon to appear in the January print edition.
Photo Credit: Joan Tucker
Bella Rose Sweet Treats.
Brownies Troop 30081 selling candy and nuts.
Frog and Stone Display
Highest Praise Church display
Multiple vendor were in the gym.
