Christmas in Central Village

Christmas in Central Village.

By Jon Alden

Everything Westport

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Central Village events always seen to be anchored by Partners Village Store and Lees Supermarket, and this year’s celebration was no different. But many local retailers and businesses participated in and supported this year’s Christmas in the Village, with a few surprises thrown in! View their flyer now!

Partners’ new location is drawing 75% more traffic, and Saturday’s Holiday Open House was a dramatic example of the success of their new format. Outside the store, artisans Barri Throop and Lynn Keith worked diligently preparing a great assortment of Christmas garlands, swags, tabletop trees, baskets and advent wreaths; while inside Partners’ kitchen was working overtime as were two book signings featuring Dedee Shattuck signing her new book “Farmers – Portraits in a Changing Landscape”, Sidney Tynan signing her new book, “Country Letters 2001-2007, Life Between a River and the Ocean in Southern New England,” a collection of personal missives.

Not be outdone, Lees Supermarket had food and wine tastings, and hosted a Holiday Show in the Cooks Kitchen which featured folk art, handmade crafts, unusual gifts, photography, Christmas ornaments, homemade beach plum jelly, Becca’s chocolate chip cookies, New England Clam Jams Chowder, free massages by Linda Richter, and the artwork and gift boxes of Carol Way Wood. Keith Lynn and Gretchen Knowlton were the hosts.

Outside the store some very unusual characters were seen hanging around, but Officer Arruda had things well under control!

Down the road, American Canine at Many Paws Pet Villa was holding their annual Open House. Joining with owners Joan E. Hopkins and Karen L. Harght was Vivian Gela, Director of Animal Advocates in pictures with pets and Santa! Animal Advocates is a non-profit animal humane organization dedicated to spaying and neutering companion animals. Refreshments, great holiday gifts for the dogs and a few for the cats too! It was a great opportunity to meet their staff and pick up a 2008 Calendar with money saving coupons!

Many local retailers and businesses in Central Village supported Christmas in the Village. View their flyer now! Raffles, discounts, refreshments, and an occasional sighting of Santa Claus plus a retailing experience that can’t be found in the impersonal malls and colossal box stores met the many families who came out to support their local businesses.

Surprising many Westport residents, SticksStonesStarS had their grand opening this weekend at their new location in Westport Village Plaza. Owners Wayne Fuerst and Charles McConnell have assembled a top end Artisans Gallery second to none, and certainly a must visit for those appreciative souls of the Westport artisans community!

- - - - - - End - - - - - -