By Debbie Hall and Jaymie Mordue
Shop local is again a weekend theme, with businesses in Stuart to take center stage during the Grand Illumination and the Patrick County Christmas Parade – all part of a Hometown Christmas theme set for Friday and Saturday.
From Mattie B’s, which anchors one end of Main Street, to Home Comforts and other merchants at the opposite end and across the street, plans were underway for what is hoped to be a plethora of shoppers.
Mitchell and Beverly Smith, owners of Uptown Farmhouse, said they are working hard towards their deadline. According to Beverly Smith, the assorted candy is a popular item in their store, and soon the store will include ice-cream from Homestead Creamery.
At Blue Ridge Furniture, LLC Jane Cardwell and her daughter, Shae Cardwell, work together in their family based furniture store, which has been open for nearly 17 years.
Susan Branham, owner of Quilted Colors, said that fabrics are a top seller in the store. All fabrics used for quilts are 100 percent cotton, she added.
Sewing notions, instructional books, tag holders and lots of “I’d rather be quilting” merchandise is offered for sale.
Matilda Hunsicker, owner of Mattie B’s, said local merchants offer customers a choice.
“It seems to me if they don’t have to go out of town to shop, it’s a good thing,” she said, adding that is one of the reasons why she and others have a vast inventory.
Items for sale include disposable placements with the popular red truck holiday theme (“you don’t have to be committed” to the theme to enjoy it, Hunsicker said), to other home décor, like candles and ornaments that contain socks, to kitchen utensils and even shoes and clothing such as leggings, sweaters, vests.
Shopping locally also means merchants often know the customer and their family.
“Your husband was in here the other day and he really liked that one,” Hunsicker recently told a customer who seemed to be debating between two different vests.
The shop also includes an infant/children’s department, seasonal items, games and totes.
Main Street cards and Gifts features Hallmark and other greeting cards, wreaths, home décor, Willow Tree merchandise, birdfeeders, jewelry and a host of other goodies.
Home Comforts wares include dishes, welcome signs, antique furniture, handmade greeting cards, candles and a variety of other items.
Hometown Christmas activities kick off Main Street in Stuart Friday, Nov. 30, at 5 p.m., with the third annual Grand Illumination tree lighting ceremony in front of the courthouse at 6 p.m.
Merchants will be open until 8 p.m. The extended hours are for shoppers’ convenience.
Participants in a new feature this year — “Find the Elf” — are encouraged to find Santa’s 12 elves hiding among the fun on Main Street and turn them in for a prize.
The Hometown Christmas events continue on Saturday, Dec. 1, which is jam-packed with holiday celebrations and lots more shopping opportunities, including the Mistletoe Market at Stuart Farmers’ Market (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and holiday bazaars at Stuart United Methodist Church (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Stuart Elementary School PTO’s “winter blender” (8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
The Festival of Trees at the Patrick County Library Open House features trees decorated by all county elementary schools (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
Charlie Brown Christmas-themed photos will be available at Pet Provisions from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Circle K is offering free hot chocolate.
The ‘Passports to the Holidays,’ a shopping extravaganza contest, returns this year. Passports can be stamped at all participating merchants and redeemed at the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce office Saturday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Three lucky winners will receive a special Patrick County gift basket.
Also on Saturday afternoon, the 47th annual Christmas Parade will wind its way downtown Stuart starting at 2 p.m. Organized by One Family Productions, the theme is “Sliding into Christmas.” The parade features the Dixie Youth Ozone Virginia State Champions as Grand Marshal.
