Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009

Main Street shopkeepers ring in the holiday season in downtown Belleville

BELLEVILLE -- Despite the sunny fall afternoon with a high near 70, Main Street shopkeepers ushered in the beginning of the holiday season Saturday.

A horse-drawn trolley, Christmas decorations and plenty of seasonal discounts brought shoppers and diners to Main Street for the holiday 2009 edition of the Taste and Style of Downtown.

"I'm not really in the Christmas mood," said Linda Sue Leinicke, of Belleville, who came to check out the holiday preview downtown festivities.

"I'm trying," to get into the spirit of the season, said Geri Simpson, of Belleville.

In addition to sales, some vendors offered tutorials on things such as making floral decorations. Others handed out samples of coffee and holiday cookies.

At Allison's Common Scents Shoppe, samples of various dips, jellies, sauces, cheesballs and cheesecakes were available to taste.

Clay Sutter, of Millstadt, lead the free rides on Noble Shire Carriages to dozens of restaurants. Riders who come downtown the day after Thanksgiving can begin catching the 4-mile per hour trolley rides on their regular holiday schedule Thursdays through Sundays.

"It's a nice slow walk down East Main," Sutter said. "It's a nice way to slow down the day."

Beatnik's owner John Bigalke emceed a fashion show at The Ground Floor, which he also owns. The show featured apparel from Candid Gifts, Circa Boutique, Harold Smith Pharmacy, Peace by Piece, Rising Stars Uniforms, Sole Survivor and other stores.

Also at the event, for $25, attendees could sample food from several downtown restaurants, including Acropolis, Hot Dogs!, Seven, Oregon Trail, The Pie Pantry and The Wine Tap.

Shoppers also had a chance to vote on the best holiday window display. Out of the 187 ballots cast, Eye On Design at 309 E. Main St. won first place, Soul Survivor at 125 E. Main St. and Circa Boutique at 128 E. Main St. tied for second place and Classic Cut & Curl won third place.

Angela Massey, executive director of Belleville Main Street, encouraged shoppers to put money back into the local economy: "When you spend your money at home, it come back to you."