by Sierra Lauder
Small Business Saturday. Wow. Downtown was packed! I was able to spend the day at the Chamber validating receipts for the #constructdowntown Sweepstakes, and we were busy all day! Well over 250 receipts were submitted for the drawing, and we chose three lucky winners on Saturday evening. The Sweepstakes continues through the end of the year, so if you didn’t make it in Saturday, don’t despair- you have plenty of time to enter between now and December 29th. Locals and visitors alike took advantage of many of the great sales our downtown merchants were offering, and many Christmas presents were purchased. If you are struggling with a few of the names on your list this year and need inspiration, I would invite you to park along Pacific or off of Ivy and stroll through downtown- the variety of fun, creative, unique and affordable options is inspiring. Hard to shop for kids that don’t need any more toys? Stop at Art Accelerated and pick up a gift certificate for their children’s art classes. Mother-in-law that you need to find a gift for but aren’t speaking to after “Stuffing Battle 2017”? Sunflower Flats has got you covered. Teenage daughter who hates everything? Madeline’s has jewelry you’ll be happy to steal back after it gets left on the bathroom counter, or Phoenix Bucks from the Phoenix Exchange so she can choose her own poison.
It was great fun to see how many families were out enjoying the nicer weather, and gathering at the fun events that were happening throughout downtown. Cupcake decorating at Sarasota’s bakery seemed especially popular this year, with many happy kids devouring their masterpieces almost immediately upon completion. Yo Time hosted a Gingerbread House Building Competition, and five families put on an impressive display of team work. Some of the smaller builders seemed to be eating almost as quickly as others were creating, but that didn’t slow anyone down, and in the end it was very hard to pick a winner. By a close margin, Team Herder took First Prize with a sweet little chalet-style cottage- congratulations to Chella, Christian and Jude, and thanks to all of the teams who donated their entry fees of cash and tarps to CARE, who helps provide resources to those without shelter this holiday season.
Small Business Saturday 2017 is really the kick-off of the holiday season downtown, so if you missed the fun last Saturday: don’t despair! Many businesses are continuing fun specials and sales throughout the season. The Phoenix Exchange is hosting a few Pop-Up Vendors through the end of December, and Diamond Art Jewelers and So Chic Boutique are offering gift wrapping (a favorite courtesy in my book). Be sure that wherever you shop downtown, you visit the Chamber after with your receipt, so we can get you entered in the Sweepstakes! The weekly drawings continue, with Diamond Art, So Chic Boutique, Yo Time, Tillamook Coliseum Theater, Sheldon Oil and Fat Dog Pizza each sponsoring one of the remaining weekly prizes before the grand finale: $1000 of Downtown Cash sponsored by US Bank.
This coming Saturday is the City’s Tree Lighting Festival in front of City Hall, followed by the Tillamook Holiday Light Parade! This year’s parade is shaping up to be bigger and brighter than ever, so you will not want to miss it! Santa is doing double duty this Saturday, making appearances both at City Hall and at Hanger B, so if you missed him at Homelife last weekend, it’s not too late! For more information about these and other upcoming holiday season events, don’t forget to check out the Tillamook Living Calendar, or feel free to call the Chamber office, and we’ll help you find details: (503) 842-7525.