Downtown open house draws shoppers
Madisonians looking forward to extending their Thanksgiving had the chance to celebrate the holiday season in downtown Madison this Saturday.
Madison's Central Business Improvement District, the Greater State Street Business Association and Isthmus organized the free, open-house event, which included trolley rides up and down State Street as well as caroling, cookie decorating, gift wrapping, characters from "A Christmas Carol" and "The Nutcracker" in costume, and holiday photos at the Overture Center, 201 State Street.
Renee Stellpflug and Barb Anderson took 16-year-old Karen Gonzales, a native of Colombia who is now a student at Wisconsin Academy in Columbus, downtown to take part in the open house. Stellpflug said she heard about the Downtown Madison Holiday Open House through a flier handed out at the Dane County Farmers' Market last weekend. While they were disappointed that the Capitol tree would not be put up until next week, they did enjoy the trolley rides organized by the downtown event.
The trolley ran from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring Christmas carols and gift bags with fliers, coupons and small items from local retailers.
Those who didn't get enough shopping at Black Friday sales were also treated to sales and events at many local stores as part of the open house.
At Anthology, 218 State St., the store had a popular craft table where visitors could make three holiday gift tags for $1 using the store's supply of stamps, specialty scissors and decorative paper. Sachi Komai, one of the store's two owners, said the store regularly has walk-in craft-making events, usually once every other weekend. The store will also organize parties for small groups, costing anywhere from $8 to $25.
One advantage in taking part in the open house, Komai said, was getting the word out for the small store, which is tucked next to the Orpheum Theatre on State Street and has only been open since March.
"It's great because a lot of people have said, 'It's our new favorite store,' " she said. The store features work from 35 local artists as well as a few national artists. Many of the artists use recycled materials in their works, from bottle caps for necklaces to empty juice pouches to create bags for holding wine.
Friends have compared the store to "Alice in Wonderland," Komai said.
"You get through and it's a whole other world," she said.
Despite a sinking economy, Komai said the sales at the store have been very good, thanks to unique products and Madisonians' support for local businesses.
"People love a story. If they buy a coaster, I can tell them about the couple who makes the coasters," she said. "They appreciate hearing about who is making these."
The relatively low price range of the store's products, from $12 for a necklace to $45 for a sweater decorated with vintage applique, has also helped the store, Komai said.
"We have a sign outside that says, 'Gifts under $25, made in Madison,' " which draws customers in, she said.
Other stores' events were less successful this weekend. Ragstock, a vintage clothing store at 329 State St., offered a discount in exchange for donations of non-perishable food items, but as of the late afternoon, its bins were relatively empty. Store manager Jen Rogalin said the event may not have gotten enough attention ahead of time.
The collection was a first-time event for Ragstock, but Rogalin said she is considering making it a monthly event and increasing promotion of it.
"It's a good idea, but our first was kind of a bust," she said.
Shopping at the store was busy Saturday, however, and Rogalin said customers who may not have heard about the drive made up for the lack of food donations with a cash donation jar for Second Harvest.
The most popular sales item Saturday afternoon was vintage Christmas party sweaters, of which Ragstock had dozens in every size, color and amount of embroidery selling from $5 to $15.
Where does one find that quantity of Christmas sweaters?
"We have a connection in Minnesota," Rogalin said mysteriously.
Those who missed out on the downtown fun will have a chance to ride the trolley on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. as well as every weekend between now and Dec. 21. Each weekend will also feature carolers from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., beginning each Saturday at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and Sundays at the Overture Rotunda, with a different singing group featured every day.
Kristin Czubkowski/The Capital Times
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Holiday-themed sweaters and sweatshirts were the popular item of the weekend at Ragstock during the Downtown Madison Holiday Open House.
