“The Point of Christmas” is a desired plan that the Mason County Area Chamber of Commerce is beginning this year and they hope that it will become a tradition.
The whole idea is to enable local business owners to have an “open house” at their establishment all day on Saturday, Nov. 14. They are encouraged to put up signs and decorations and serve refreshments to draw in local shoppers. Patrons can visit many stores and businesses to experience the hospitality that Point Pleasant is known for.
“This is a good way to attract businesses, but more importantly, make it a memorable, old-fashioned kind of Christmas visit,” Hilda Austin, Executive Director of the Mason County Area Chamber of Commerce, said.
Austin also suggested that this would be a great time for church groups, 4-H clubs, women’s clubs, etc. to offer for sale jams, apple butter, baked goods, and handmade crafts.
Several businesses including the Point Pleasant Register, WBYG Big Country 99.5 Radio Station and Siders Jewelers, have already committed to making a memorable holiday season for those who shop with them.
“‘The Point of Christmas’ is such a wonderful idea,” Shari Cochran, station manager for WBYG said. “We are offering a great way for local businesses to be apart of advertising at a low cost to them.”
The radio station will be serving light refreshments.
“We hope this becomes a tradition that everyone in the community looks forward to. It’s a great way to support local people and spend money locally,” Cochran said.
JoAnne Siders, the lady behind the entire idea, shares in the excitement.
“The whole idea is to get the point across that Christmas is a time of love, giving and sharing,” Siders, owner of Siders Jewlers, said. “We want people to come to town and see what we have for the holidays.”
Siders said she has already sent out 100 invitations and that her store will be very festive for the holiday. They plan on playing Christmas music and serving goodies.
The Point Pleasant Register is also offering a discounted ad rate for those who want to advertise.
“This is a community wide effort to generate traffic to hometown merchants and to promote shopping locally,” Elizabeth Yeager, Adverstising Sales Representative, said.
She continued to say that the paper is offering a special full page of ads. Deadline to get an ad in is Nov. 10.
Austin believes that this event can be an exciting and profitable Christmas celebration.
“Profitable in more ways than just one,” Austin added.
Businesses from the National Guard Armory to the end of Main Street are highly encouraged to become apart of this new, and hopefully, traditional event.
If you have any questions on how to become involved, you can contact Hilda Austin at (304) 675-1050 or by e-mailing her at mccofc@pointpleasantwv.org.
The contact person for WBYG is Shari Cochran at shari@wbyg.com or (304) 675-2763. At the Point Pleasant Register, call Elizabeth Yeager at eyeager@mydailyregister.com or (304) 675-1333. JoAnne Siders of Siders Jewelers can be reached at siders3@wvdsl.net or (304) 675-3400.
Post a Comment
