An Okotoks business is one of many adding a few stitches in time in an effort to increase local shopping this Christmas season.
Maureen Schreiber, owner of Unwind Wool at 20 McRae Street, is one of approximately 20 stores and/or restaurants participating in Festive Fridays, Nov. 20 to Christmas.
“I wanted to participate to help get people downtown so they can see what it has to offer,” Schreiber said. “I think it is worth a try.”
Festive Fridays is organized by the Okotoks River District Association. The event has businesses in the downtown area staying open later on Friday nights during the holiday season.
Typically, Unwind Wool is open from 10 a.m. to 5 on Fridays. It is open on Fridays until 8 p.m. now until Christmas.
She said the first Festive Friday was steady. However, Schreiber said that may have been due to some residents believing Light Up Okotoks was taking place.
The idea for Festive Fridays came from Lisa Watts, co-owner of Hub Town Brewing on Elizabeth Street. The brew-house is a member of the River District.
“I had been racking my brain since we opened our doors a year ago on how to encourage businesses to stay open past 5 p.m.,” said Watts, the communication strategist for the River District. “I think what happens when you try and create it as an event — make it a little bit different — you will get more people out.
She said it is a bit of an extension of the Small Town Friday Night, which ran during the summer.
“That was the beginning of trying to get people to see the downtown as more than a 9 to 5 location,” Watts said. “Maybe this Christmas, we can convince people that Okotoks is a place to be on Friday night... We have got about 20 businesses who are just going for it and staying open until 8 p.m. on Fridays.”
The River District represents the business community from Motion Fitness to Seaman Stadium and the escarpment to the river. It also includes Elma Street.
The Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce is also in the holiday spirit — it is holding a shopping incentive to increase the dollars spent in the community.
“We have a contest called Shop Local & Win,” said Jayme Hall, the Okotoks chamber executive director. “If you are out shopping local or getting a local service of any kind, post it on Facebook or Instagram with #shopwinokotoks.”
Those who are post are eligible to win a $250 in weekly draw until Christmas.
“It’s just a way to encourage people to shop local and give them some money to spend in town,” Hall said.
The first draw is Friday, Nov. 27 at noon.
Subsequent draws are Dec. 4, Dec. 11 and Dec. 18, all at noon.
