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| Aroostook Republican Photo/Paula Brewer Staci Hamilton checks out some winter outerwear Thursday evening at Buzzell’s, one of 11 businesses participating in Caribou Hometown Christmas. |
By Paula Brewer
Special to the Aroostook Republican
The spirit of the season was evident on local sidewalks Thursday evening as several merchants joined forces for a Caribou Hometown Christmas, offering special promotions, door prizes and refreshments to welcome shoppers.
Though the cold was indeed frightful, it didn’t keep shoppers away for the first-ever event, sponsored by the Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce.
Among the 11 participating businesses was Monica’s Scandinavian Imports. “It was great,” said Megan Olson, store manager. “We had lots of traffic and lots of good comments.”
Olson said shoppers seemed to enjoy the holiday ambience. “There was a wonderful, warm, festive feeling. We had great specials, and people took advantage.”
Darlene Craig and Karen Wakem, both of Caribou, were among those browsing at downtown shops and enjoying the holiday spirit.
“This is fantastic,” Craig declared. “We don’t have too many times when people are pulling together, so we need this. It’s a beautiful night and it gets people out.”
“I think it’s wonderful,” said Wakem, who likened the event to this past summer’s popular Thursdays on Sweden events. “I remember years ago when they used to do this, with the lights strung across the street. It was magical,” she added.
The idea for Hometown Christmas originated with Debbie Sutherland, owner of Brambleberry Market in the downtown mall, who was inspired by an article in a trade magazine. “It’s something that gets people out, gets them shopping,” she remarked. “A lot of people say there’s nothing here in Caribou, and it’s frustrating.”
Many people go to Presque Isle to one of the larger stores, and remain there to complete the rest of their purchases, Sutherland said. “We wanted to get people shopping in Caribou so we can get businesses to stay in Caribou.”
Shoppers Craig and Wakem said they thought the event should be an annual one for Caribou, an idea embraced by merchants.
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| Aroostook Republican Photo/Paula Brewer Darlene Craig, left, and Karen Wakem, both of Caribou, look over some gift items at Brambleberry Market during Thursday’s Caribou Hometown Christmas event. |
Olson said Monica’s would be on board. “I’d like to do it next week,” she noted.
“I really do hope it will be a yearly event,” said Sutherland. Though she realizes things like this take time to catch on, she was pleased with the efforts put forth this season.
“The merchants really went out of their way for this,” she commented. “I hope we can involve more people, more businesses, and even restaurants.”
“I would like to see this happen every year and become a tradition,” said Buzzell’s owner Carl Anderson, who was behind the counter Thursday evening with his brother and store manager, Erik Anderson. Though traffic had not been heavy in the first hour, there had been customers. “It’s a great time of year to do this and get people out, and a good idea to have stores open late for people who work until 5.”
Anderson added he would like to see more businesses involved next year, and even perhaps do something similar throughout the year. “We could maybe have this be a quarterly event,” he said. “I’d be up for it as often as I could, even monthly.”
Participating merchants this year included Brambleberry Market, Buzzell’s, Freme’s Jewelry, Gifts Galore, Monica’s Scandinavian Imports, Noyes Flower & Plant Shoppe, Phil’s Florist & Greenhouses, Plourde Furniture Company, Sleeper’s Market, S.W. Collins Company and Works of Heart.
Sutherland said she feels encouraged about the city’s business climate. “I think Caribou is on the move,” she noted. “We have great people who work in Caribou, but I think the citizens need to help, too. If you spend your money in Caribou, that money will stay in Caribou.”
