Chamber Sponsors Holiday Shopping Days Downtown

If you're reading this, you probably live in Madison.  If that's the case, then you have probably gotten breakfast with your family at The Bagel Chateau.  Maybe you have met a buddy for a drink and enjoyed some live music at Shanghai Jazz. 

You might have surprised your wife with jewelry from Rose City Jewelers, (and if you haven't, she might read this first...).  Whether eating, drinking, strolling or shopping, Madison wouldn't be Madison without its downtown district – little in size, but absolutely stocked with great businesses. 

This week, residents, the Chamber of Commerce, and downtown merchants are coming together for Madison Holiday Shopping Days. 

As part of the "Home for the Holidays in Madison" initiative, people can expect to "enjoy strolling carolers, extended holiday hours, a night of luminaries, special incentives, and visits from Santa and the Morris County Park Police Mounted unit," according to their  flier.

Shopping days will take place starting on Thursday, Dec. 10 and will go through Saturday, Dec. 12.

Residents have been able to pick up $20 or $50 gift certificates that are good at any Madison business for a few weeks now, but one of the top holiday successes for residents and businesses alike has been the Holiday Savings Book. 

John Morris, Chamber of Commerce president and owner of Stewart-Morris Awards, Gifts, and Flags, hopes that this year's C of C's Holiday Savings Book "will attract old and new visitors."

"We have done something like this over the years," he said.

The book consists of a collection of discounts on a number of Madison businesses.  To get a copy, you have to advertise in the book.

"Last year it was a formal initiative: our main idea was to get some of the rank and file Chamber of Commerce people involved in the customer to merchant transaction.  It is a Chamber of Commerce publication, and we're giving out almost 500 copies.  Those who advertise will get a copy, and it's pocket-sized and easy to carry."

In a tightened economy, some might find it hard to shop locally: the huge stock and resulting low prices from mega-retailers seems appealing, but Morris mentioned several advantages to using the book and shopping in Madison in general.

"It's great from a 'green' standpoint, a shopping standpoint, and a taxpayer standpoint," he said.  "One of the places (Madison merchants) beat a lot of people on is service.  You deal with the owner a lot, and they have a personal interest in making sure the customers are satisfied."  

The neighborhood merchants often have a personal relationship with the town in which they work – whether it be their kids in the schools or a friend who works across the street, there is a shared want for progress within the town.  While the Savings Book does not have every business in it, there was enough involvement to warrant future development.

Morris explained that while "some businesses did not get on board, we think, for a first year, we had a good response from a lot of the businesses.  We'll do one in the future, maybe for the upcoming year, or for the springtime.  Reports say we could have sold another 20 or 30 pages, but we ran out of time.  We needed to get it out on the street."

The discounts included within the book range from moderate to substantial, and the Chamber of Commerce hopes that it will bring holiday shoppers back to their hometown: discounts may be closer than they think.

"It's all about the downtown business district," Morris said.  "There isn't any 'fluff,' it is as local as local can get.  People can build relationships with local merchants, and it's all about the long term.  Madison is a great place to eat and live, but it is also a great place to shop."