The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Event puts shoppers in holiday spirit
Open House puts shoppers in holiday spirit
The local businesses of downtown Painesville opened up their doors for the community during this year’s Holiday Open House on Nov. 13.
The celebration treated visitors to shopping, eating and drinks throughout the business district. It’s a tradition that’s carried on for over the past 20 years with vendors along Main and South State streets decorating their businesses to get into the holiday spirit while offering Painesville shoppers exclusive discounts, sales, and treats.
The event has proven immensely popular over the years with the city’s Executive Director, David Polakowski, citing attendance for last year’s Open House at well over 1,000 shoppers. This year’s cold weather and sharp winds kept initial turnout modest but local patrons continued trickling in, resulting in a steady crowd by the end of night’s festivity.
Passports were given to shoppers with a map to all of the participating stores. Shoppers who spend more than $25 were entered into a raffle where they stand to win cash prizes funded through the Downtown Painesville Organization, a local nonprofit that also helped to fund the event and coordinate with local shop owners. The DPO also braved the cutting wind gusts and manned an outdoor cash bar where adults could treat themselves to cider and brandy.
The Painesville City Improvement Corporation was also on hand with members volunteering throughout the city and raising awareness of local events and charitable causes that they spearhead.
“It’s a great organization that really gives back to the community,” said PCIC member and Painesville City Council President Paul Hach.
Local resident Alicia Buchan took in the event with her mother and was surprised at just how much there was to explore.
“I think it’s great. It’s really great considering I didn’t know half of it was in the city I lived in,” she said.
Art gallery and coffeehouse owner, Bethany Homrighaus, was swamped with patrons warming up on pour over coffees and perusing the handmade art for sale at her Starfish and Coffee.
Homrighaus is enjoying her third year hosting an Open House event from her boutique and coffeehouse.
“I beefed up all of my inventory. I made a bunch of jewelry for the event. My husband, Austin, makes the fudge. We debuted a sugarfree, gluten-free, vegan fudge bar tonight called the “all-access fudge bar,” she said.
New floral shop, Flowers On Main, got in on the action for the first time with owner Ron Robertson saying, “The city’s been wonderful. We couldn’t ask for more.”
Donovan Knebusch, another first-time business owner whose Eastern Revival Skate Shop just opened the week prior, thought the event was a great way to introduce themselves to the neighborhood.
“Painesville is sweet. They contacted us and are awesome about bringing new businesses. They’ve been super supportive,” he said.
This year’s Holiday Open House changed pace from last year’s format. Unlike the previous Open House, which was alcohol-free, 2018’s event featured a cash bar on Main Street and allowed for open alcohol consumption on the predesignated streets that the Open House took place.
Local watering holes, Nima’s and Bistro 70 were also open during the festivities to whet patron’s whistles.
While this year’s Open House catered to a more adult audience, Painesville has not left out the little ones with their own special event, Spirit of the Season, taking place on Nov. 30.