North Shore readies for weekend open house, ongoing treasure hunt

The North Shore Merchants Collective will celebrate big this weekend with its 10th annual Holiday Open House, scheduled Friday through Sunday, Nov. 11-13, but the fun won’t be over so soon. The organization’s Holiday Window Treasure Hunt continues through early January.

Now in its second year, the Holiday Window Treasure Hunt benefits the Northside Neighborhood House. Participation is easy: Pick up a game card from any of the 27 participating businesses and start hunting.

“Similar to t hose ‘ find the hidden object in the picture’ games you might remember from Highlights Magazine, the North Shore’s version makes you take to the sidewalk, looking for unlikely hidden items in the holiday-themed windows of local businesses,” says a news release from organizers.

“For example, you might f ind an out-ofplace ice cream scoop from Clumpies in the window of Embargo 62 or a wooden coat hanger from Merch Northshore in the window of the River Street Deli.”

Completed ga me cards are ultimately deposited, along with a $1 contribution, at one of five North Shore businesses. Each successful treasure hunter is then registered for the chance to win a giant gift basket, valued at $ 1,000, that’s filled with gift certificates and goodies from North Shore shops and restaurants.

All collected monies will be matched by NSMC and donated to the annual toy drive at Northside Neighborhood House, which works with clients to purchase specific toys and other items children have requested from Santa.

During this weekend’s Holiday Open House, participating businesses will have in- store events, sales, refreshments and giveaways. Sound Fa r e musicians will provide a holiday soundtrack, and Santa will be in the neighborhood.

Participating in the open house and treasure hunt are Backstreet Betty’s, Belle Rive, Blue Skies, ClearSpring Yoga, Clumpies Ice Cream, Embargo 62, European Wax Center, Four Bridges Outfitters, Frankie & Julian’s, Good Dog, Hair a Go-Go, Healthy Glow Studio, In-Town Gallery, Massage Envy Spa, Merch Northshore, Olive Chattanooga, Plum Nelly, Quality Tire Pros, Revelator Coffee Co., River Street Deli, Rusted Buffalo, The Sandbox Children’s Boutique, Sophie’s, Tangerinas, Terra Nostra, Whole Foods and Willa Collection.

The Holiday Window Treasure Hunt continues through Monday, Jan 2, “so if you don’t have time during the pre- Christmas rush, you can join in the fun after Christmas, before the little ones have to return to school,” says the news release.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Visitors to the North Shore fill out their cards for last year’s Holiday Window Treasure Hunt. The goal is to track down 27 items from NorthShore Merchants Collective businesses — a shoe, a coffee mug, a yoga mat — that have turned up in unlikely...