Annual Holiday Shopping Open House Begins This Evening

Santa sits on a bench in front of The Ironstar and gets a second look from Ernestine Eden.

If people haven’t been out and about in Fort Scott lately, they might be pleasantly surprised at the number of quality boutiques, art galleries, and other storefronts that the city has to offer, according to Lindsay Madison, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.

“Nearly every building is occupied and we are so grateful for the investment that building and business owners have made in our community,” she said.

The chamber recently announced the Annual Holiday Open House Shopping event, Downtown & Around in Fort Scott.

The main event will take place this evening,  Thursday, November 9 from 5-8 p.m. with refreshments, drawings, and deals to enjoy and get you in the holiday spirit!

On Thursday the trolley will be going from store to store from 5-8 p.m. for shoppers to ride to each site.

The multi-day event will continue on Friday and Saturday, November 10-11.

Nearly 20 participating retailers are involved,  including 110 South Main, Angie Dawn’s Boutique, Barbed Wire & Roses, Bartelsmeyer Jewelry, Better in Bourbon, Be the Light Boutique, Bids & Dibs, Flint + Fray, Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, Iron Star Antiques & Such, Laree + Co, Long Creek Outfitters, Papa Don’s Vendors, Ruddick’s Furniture, Sekan’s Occasion Shop, Shirt Shack, Sunshine Boutique, The Artificers, and The Beauty Lounge.

One can enter their name at each store for a chance to win $50 in Chamber Bucks.

Visit fortscott.com or the Chamber’s Facebook page for more details.

The trolley in a Christmas parade in 2016.

History of the Event:
“Iron Star Antiques & Such initially started the Holiday Open House concept 20 years ago this month when Barbara Trimbur and Cindy Bowman, who were both booth vendors in the store at the time, came up with the idea,” said Madison. “Then Barbara took over ownership of the store that following January. I started leading the Chamber as President and CEO in the Fall of 2010 and that may have been the first year all of the businesses formally came together for an organized event.”

 

Lindsay Madison. Submitted photo.

“I feel the Chamber and the retailers together have a strong relationship and communicate and work well together to plan these types of events and promotions throughout the year such as Spring Fling, Sidewalk Sales, Fall Fest, Holiday Open House, and more,” she said.

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