BUSINESS

Shop Small

for the Holidays in Downtown Windsor and Greeley

BY LINDA THORSEN BOND

What that makes a city

’ s downtown a treasure? Bianca Fisher, executive director of the Greeley Downtown Development Authority (DDA), believes downtowns are the heart of the city. “The local businesses are fundamental to the local character and soul of downtown, ”she said. “It’ s where creativity and local entrepreneurship converge. ” To celebrate the treasures of downtown, Greeley and Windsor have created showcases during the holiday season, with special events on Shop Small Saturday, Nov. 27. Each city has a unique way to bring the joy of discovery to holiday shoppers.

WINDSOR

This is the seventh year for Windsor’ s Elf Hunt and it can result in real treasure.There are pictures of elves hidden in plain sight at downtown businesses.To join the annual Elf Hunt pick up a form at any of the participating downtown businesses carrying the Elf Hunt logo or go to windsordda.com/elfhunt.When you spot elves at participating businesses, write down where you saw them on your form. Score at least seven elves and you ’ re in the running for prizes.The Elf Hunt runs from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Josh Olhava, the Windsor DDA executive

director, said if you ’ re ready for extra fun, come downtown Saturday, Nov. 27 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for Shop Small Saturday. Members of the DDA staff and board will be in the new pedestrian plaza on Main Street and they ’ll be so glad to see you they ’ll give you reusable shopping bags filled with coupons, swag and goodies.They ’ll be randomly passing out gift cards, too, which would add some real spark to holiday shopping. Many of the downtown shops will have special deals and coupons waiting for you. When you ’ ve spotted at least seven elves, turn your completed form in to Memory Lane Antiques, 426 Main Street. Many of the Elf Hunt forms will be drawn at Windsor Wonderland, Dec. 3. Olhava said they will save some of the drawings until after Christmas, just to spread out the joy. You must be 18 or older to enter your Elf Hunt card for the drawing and you don ’t need to be present to win. Windsor DDA, 301 Walnut St., Windsor (970) 674-2400, windsordda.com/elfhunt

GREELEY

Celebrate Shop Small Saturday in Greeley Nov. 27 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Holiday Open House.Your treasure hunt in Greeley starts when you pick up a bingo card at any of the 30 participating downtown businesses, fill it out and earn a chance to win one of the three gift baskets valued from $200, $300 and $1,000. No purchase is necessary to enter. Downtown will offer holiday crafts, special treats, live music, photo ops for the kids, hot cocoa and more. Each location will feature holiday activities, sales and other holiday treasures. “Small local businesses are our passion, ”Bianca Fisher said. “There is a great mix of businesses downtown. On the bingo card you can fill in any of the more than 30 businesses from restaurants and bakeries to retail shops.There are more and more businesses that offer entertainment, with fun things like hatchet throwing or pinball. Each of the businesses offers unique opportunities where families can enjoy holiday movies, art galleries and museums.We hope people will come during the holidays for the fun of it and discover that it takes more than one day to take it all in. Once we get their feet in the door, we hope they ’ll come back.” Fisher added that after shopping, everyone is invited to browse the “Dazzle Downtown ”holiday store window displays and stay for the Greeley Lights the Night Parade beginning at 5:30 p.m. on 9th Avenue with 50 entries.That is followed immediately by the traditional lighting of Lincoln Park and a chance for the little ones to visit with Santa Claus. Greeley DDA, 802 9th St., Ste. 100, Greeley (970) 356.6775, greeleydowntown.com/special-events/ holiday-open-house

Josh Olhava (top), and members of the Windsor DDA board and staff will be greeting shoppers with swag in the new pedestrian plaza while shoppers take part in other fun events in Windsor on Shop Small Saturday. (Courtesy Windsor DDA)