Saturday, November 24, 2007 1:08 AM CST
Small-town merchants offer less hectic shopping
By MIKE FRAZIER, Staff Writer
mfrazier@herald-review.com
SHELBYVILLE -- Hordes of shoppers stormed the big box stores in big cities early Thursday, battling the masses for holiday bargains.
But small-town merchants offered a less frenzied venue for bargain shoppers on Black Friday.
That’s part of the appeal, merchants agreed.
“It’s small town,” said Bonnie Thompson, owner of Possum’s Treasures, 119 E. Main St. in Shelbyville. “Let’s face it. In a lot of places, the mall looks like the mall looks like the mall.”
Not so in downtown Shelbyville, where several merchants offer harder-to-find collectibles, antiques and clothing, among other goods.
Higher gas prices and a new Wal-Mart on Shelbyville’s west edge may provide additional reasons for some residents to shop locally this holiday season.
And the Greater Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce today kicks off its Hometown Holidays celebration, with events running each Saturday through Christmas.
But it’s not just local shoppers who come to downtown Shelbyville for holiday gifts.
Many come to town to see the Victorian Splendor Light Festival at Forest Park, a display of thousands of Christmas lights.
And some venture downtown to shop.
Thompson, for example, offers specialty gifts you aren’t likely to find at the mall, including gourmet foods, John Wayne memorabilia and increasingly hard-to-find University of Illinois items featuring Chief Illiniwek.
“People say, ‘I don’t know anywhere else around that’s got ‘em,’” Thompson said of her merchandise. “I do get quite a few people from Decatur, Mount Zion, Dalton City, all that area.”
To kick off the shopping season, Boarman’s Roxy Theatre in downtown Shelbyville will show the holiday movie “Elf” for free at 10 a.m. today
The theatre also will hold free 10 a.m. showings of “The Santa Clause,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and “Miracle on 34th Street” on coming Saturdays.
In the big city, shoppers often battle an anonymous mass of consumers.
But in Shelbyville, merchants enjoy rekindling small-town connections over the holidays.
“It’s fun; we always have a great time at Christmas,” said Kathy Mulvaney, owner of The Shelbyville Connection, 105 E. Main St. “We see so many people we haven’t seen forever. The kids come home to see their parents — I love to see that.”
Mulvaney’s daughter, Blair, a Shelbyville High School student, works at her mom’s store, and she enjoys visiting with former schoolteachers who shop over the holidays.
Children enjoy visiting Santa Claus at his holiday house, located in the downtown park across the street from The Shelbyville Connection.
On Dec. 1, Santa will stop by downtown Shelbyville to get his picture taken with children from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Shoppers will be treated to hot chocolate and cookies from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 15, as carolers sing familiar holiday tunes on Main Street.
Dena Bolin, office manager for the Chamber, said she especially is excited about a holiday decorating contest on Dec. 8.
Townsfolk are encouraged to decorate Christmas trees, wreaths and place settings.
“It’s a great way for individuals or organizations to raise money, because we’re going to have a silent auction,” Bolin said.
Creativity and holiday spirit are encouraged with the decorations, Bolin said.
“I can’t wait to see what people come up with,” Bolin said.
For more information on the Chamber’s Hometown Holidays events, call 774-2221.
“It’s that time of year,” Bolin said. “We’re trying to do a few things that allow people to enjoy the holiday season in Shelbyville.”
Mike Frazier can be reached at mfrazier@herald-review.com or 421-7985.
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The Question wrote on Nov 24, 2007 1:45 PM: