Stop and shop on Fourth St. this weekend

Annual event includes 27 shops in a five-mile stretch

It’s probably fair to say that when the topic of holiday shopping locales comes up, Coronado, Cottonwood and ABQ Uptown malls immediately come to mind, as do the big box stores, like Wal-Mart or Target.

The little shops along North Fourth Street may not be on that short list, but here’s a chance to think outside the box, or at least outside the mall.

The annual North Fourth Holiday Stop & Shop event will be held today and Sunday, this year featuring 27 shops offering discounts, free gifts, specials and greeting visitors with refreshments and entertainment.

The participating shops are all located along a five-mile stretch of Fourth Street between Griegos to north of Alameda, and include businesses in the Village of Los Ranchos, said Stop & Shop coordinator Norma Scott. The stores, she said, will all be open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. both days.

Now in its 13th year, the Stop & Shop event is an opportunity to remind people who normally might not think about it “that these businesses are here and they offer a lot,” she said.

Among them are stores that sell gifts, antiques, rustic furniture and home decor, lumber, clothing, animal feed and supplies, art, jewelry, pottery, clothing, food and baked goods.

The Stop & Shop is just a good time “to take advantage of specials, save some money during the holidays, have some fun, and shop, shop, shop,” Scott said.