Shop Local this Holiday Season

The Holidays are upon us and there’s something so true when it’s said it’s the most wonderful time of the year. We hang the lights, trim the trees, deck the halls – but the last thing we want to do is wait in long lines at a crowded chain store or brave the crowds at the mall. There is a much easier way to find what you need for everyone on your list: shop local!

A vibrant small business community surrounds us. Small business owners and entrepreneurs are pouring their passion into what they do every day. When we shop local, we are supporting our local economy and building opportunities for local entrepreneurs and business owners.

By shopping local not only this season and every season, you will find unique gifts made with love. Small, independent businesses and their passionate store owners are providing products and services for the community that they are directly a part of and it reflects back on the city in which they operate.

Celebrate Shelton, a city-wide initiative, founded last year by small business owners, Michael Skrtic, owner of the Glass Source Studio and Nicole Heriot-Mikula, owner of bringtheHoopla as well as Jimmy Tickey,of JWN Online, have joined together to form Celebrate Shelton. They encourage everyone to shop local and to take the opportunity to build a long-lasting customer relationship with a local independent business.

They are proud to present their 2nd Annual Holiday Kick-Off Event series which take place at the Conti Building, 415 Howe Avenue, Shelton.

Plaid Friday Kick-Off Celebration on Friday, Nov. 27, 4-8pm

Small Business Saturday Downtown Handmade Market, Saturday, Nov. 28, 10am-5pm

(Ornament Making Area for Kiddos from 10am-5pm as well)

Community Tree Lighting with Santa, Friday, Dec. 4, 5:30pm @ Veteran’s Memorial

Park

Holiday Handmade Markets: Saturdays, Dec. 5, Dec. 12, Dec. 19, 10am-3pm

Artisans include: Art by Noah, Auntie Arwen’s Spices, Bags in Bloom, Bambooties, Barnwood & Bangles, BBA Braces, Bead Dangle Design, BringtheHoopla, Charmed by Nancy, The Cheesy Smokehouse, Creative Girl Enterpeices, Earth & Sky Photography, The Glass Source Studio, GloWorx, Grateful Pawz, Greystone Bookworks, Kate Stephens Jewelry, Killbride Creations, Le Jardin Florist, Lilla Rose, Liquid Lunch/Grow, Lisa’s Soaps, Little Bee of Connecticut, Look & Sea, Mama Dee’s Italian Kitchen, Memories From Aunt Helen’s Attic, The Olive Oil Factory, Oronoque Farms, Origami Owl Jewelry, Periodic Tableware, Quilts by Nancy, Re-Designed by Elizabeth, Reid’s BBQ Sauces & Rubs, Riverhouse Café, Spirit & Sage, The Little Dog Laughed, Tiny Hobo, Tipsy Cones, ,TJJ Sews, Upcycle, Sacred Mystery Arts, Shadee Lady, Written Words Bookstore, Zelda’s Knitz, and MORE!

Visit www.celebrateshelton.com for more information, or our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.