Downtown showing holiday spirit

Downtown Shawano is getting its holly jolly going for the holiday shopping season.

Merchants are offering specials and freebies Saturday during the annual Holiday Stroll event highlighting local options for buying clothes, jewelry, books and more.

That will be followed next week by the community’s annual holiday parade, with Santa Claus and other attractions reinforcing downtown’s role in the seasonal celebration of shopping and giving.

Some shoppers got an early start Friday by making downtown Shawano part of their “Black Friday” ritual the day after Thanksgiving.

Valerie Hinkfuss, who hit the stores Friday with her daughter, Cheyenne, said that although she sometimes patronizes malls and big-box stores, she frequently prefers downtown Shawano’s small specialty shops. The experience makes Hinkfuss feel good about supporting hometown merchants, and it also reminds her of simpler times.

“It’s just the nostalgia of being downtown,” she said. “It brings me back to my childhood.”

Downtown boosters in previous years held the stroll and holiday parade on the same day, focusing all their energy on one mega-event to bring crowds downtown.

By separating the events into two different weekends, organizers now are creating greater exposure for downtown businesses and also giving members of the community more opportunities to enjoy themselves throughout the holiday shopping season.

“It seems to have worked out very well,” said Marisa Rycroft, coordinator of the downtown business district. “It seems to have generated a good crowd.”

The Holiday Stroll kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday and continues until 4 p.m., with many merchants offering shoppers snack treats, as well as special sales on merchandise and even free gift wrapping. The event coincides with national event known as Small Business Saturday.

Downtown Shawano has been decked out with holiday decorations, and patrons on Saturday will be greeted by panda bear characters, live music and other specials.

“Everybody’s got something,” Rycroft said.

The following Friday, Dec. 4, downtown will be busy again with more business promotions, horse-drawn wagon rides and, of course, the holiday parade kicking off at 6 p.m.

Santa’s House will be set up inside The Well youth center, 136 S. Main St., where Santa will be greeting children from 4 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., except during the parade. Spectators also will have chances to contribute to a food drive and a toys-for-tots drive.

Merchants said the holiday season has become a major event in downtown Shawano, thanks to the efforts of the business district and the support of local customers.

Ann Peebles, owner of The Consign Shop, said area shoppers have embraced the idea of keeping their dollars close to home. From her store overlooking Main Street, Peebles enjoys watching residents congregate downtown rather than drive to out-of-town malls.

“You can see all day people are out there walking up and down the street,” she said.

Cindy Lou Polzin, owner of Village Garden Flower Shop, said she has noticed a significant change in the past couple of years with Shawano’s downtown becoming a shopping destination. Polzin said people seem to like avoiding big-city crowds and shopping in a more relaxed environment where employees still have time to offer assistance.

“That’s what it’s all about,” she added. “We do have a lot to offer down here.”