Merchants are getting ready for the Annual Christmas Open House from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday in downtown Hartsville. Sponsored by Hartsville Downtown Development Association (HDDA), the open house encourages downtown businesses to remain open after regular business hours for an evening of shopping, entertainment and holiday spirit.
Shoppers will have the opportunity to get a jump start on their holiday shopping in a warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere unlike the hustle and bustle of the official start to the holiday shopping season on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
This event will set the stage and get townspeople in the Christmas spirit.
Sidewalk carolers, dancers in the street and the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas coming from inside shops will make for an exciting evening in downtown Hartsville Thursday.
Merchants invite customers into their shops to ring in the holiday shopping season. It is more than a shopping event; it is a community event, said Judi Elvington, executive director of HDDA.
“We want to encourage people to shop and dine downtown Thursday night and all during the holidays,” she said.
It is important to support our local merchants, especially during difficult and challenging economic times, Elvington said.
Emily Phillips, owner of Burry Bookstore, said she has invited two authors to be a part of the celebration.
S.C. Poet Laureate Marjory Wentworth and Author Batt Humphreys will be at the bookstore from 6 to 9 p.m. that night. Wentworth will be signing copies of her children’s book “Shackles,” and Humphreys will be signing copies of his new book “Dead Weight.”
In 2003, Wentworth was appointed Poet Laureate of South Carolina.
Burry’s will be serving refreshments and a drawing will be held every 15 minutes for prizes.
“We will be open and have a demonstration going on,” Dianne Feury of Feury Fine Arts said.
Hobnob Gourmet will be giving out samples from their holiday food collection, and Suzanne Galloway and Vicki Hudson have invited the Hart Cottage Guild to serve samples from recipes in the Hart Cottage cookbook “Candlelight and Camellias.” The guild will have copies of the cookbook for sale.
Minnie’s Giftique is planning for a special night with sales and refreshments.
The downtown Christmas lights, the lights on the Centennial Park Christmas snowflake tree and the lights from store windows will brighten the night sky and add to the festive occasion.
Also, look for Santa and Mrs. Claus who will be strolling throughout downtown looking for good boys and girls.
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