Thanksgiving is now over and our annual Christmas Parade will be this Friday - hard to believe the Christmas Season is upon us. Driving home on Friday evening was a very pleasant drive. People had their Christmas lights burning and many, many places had great light displays. I want to congratulate those of you who waited until after Thanksgiving to light all your decorations - each year decorations seem to go up earlier and earlier. It seems to take away some of the special feelings we have during the Holiday Season. On a positive note, however, the decorations are just great this year and convey the very special thoughts we have during this time of year.
Please remember the parade will start at 6:30 this Friday evening. While we have a great parade lineup, we encourage anyone who wants to participate to do so. It would just be helpful if you would let us know your plans to attend so we can have ample room for everyone. At 5:45 Razz and Friends will provide musical entertainment on stage at Tracy Plaza - great Christmas music for young and old alike. We have received word that YNN News will be broadcasting the parade live via satellite. This along with all the help we get from the other local media will make our holiday event even more special.
This weekend I was talking with a very good friend about the Christmas season and our small businesses. This last Saturday was Small Business Saturday and we were wondering how many of you had the opportunity to shop at our small, locally owned businesses. We were trying to come up with new ideas to help with Christmas Shopping and promote our locally owned small businesses.
We came up with an idea that is actually very simple. Our suggestion would be for you to make a list, or at least a mental list, of the smaller items (but not limited to that) you will need to purchase. Using your list try to purchase something in as many of our downtown businesses as possible. I know I am going to try and do this very thing.
Now I have people tell me all the time there is no shopping downtown so I am going to make a suggested list for you - this is just a suggested list and by no means a limited one as I cannot mention everything and everyone - this is just a starter for you. OK here we go: Eating and Drinking Establishments - gift certificates; Landers - socks; Antique Stores - special collectibles; Bensons - scarfs; Hair and Beauty Salons - gift certificates; Framing Shops - pictures; Art Galleries - gift certificates; Suburban Blend - cold weather clothing; Chautauqua Music - music-related products; Quick Solutions - special paper supplies; Geer-Dunn - special office supplies; Patient's Pharmacy - drug store needs; Y's - membership; Jamestown Savings Bank Arena - open skating tickets; Cultural Attractions - entry tickets; Service Stations - window washer fluid; Carlson's - jewelry; Nouveau Home Boutique - gift items and home accessories; Car Washes - gift certificates; Craft World - toys and games; Jamestown Cycle Shop - sporting goods; Everyday/Chautauqua Brick Hardwares - almost anything; and Spas - gift certificates. We also have a number of new computer and office equipment stores downtown that provide a wide variety of supplies and services. I might also add each and every one of these locations has many products other than the ones I mentioned.