As the holidays approach, area business owners have begun to prepare for a busy season in Cazenovia. In the practice of thinking globally, but shopping locally, the Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce and the Historic Cazenovia Business District Committee are sponsoring three events in the next few weeks.
The sixth-annual Ladies’ Night Out will kick-off the holiday festivities on Nov. 17, the village tree lighting and 34th annual Christmas Walk will be held on Dec. 2 and the 10th annual Men’s Night take place on Dec. 15.
“I think that this year, more than ever, keeping the sales tax dollars local is important because of the direct impact it has on the economic vitality of the community. Small businesses nationally are feeling a dramatic impact of the sluggish economy and support of these businesses is crucial in order to keep these storefronts leased,” said Laurie Hunt, owner of Lillie Bean and organizer for Ladies Night Out. “There is such a unique variety of restaurants, services and shops packed into this little village, and without the support of the local people, these businesses will not survive.”
Money spent within Madison County directly affects property taxes, keeping costs low and helping to maintain streets, parks and other public areas. According to the 3/50 Project, a national organization hoping to boost awareness of the importance of shopping local, independent merchants return 68 percent of their income to the local economy in which the business is located.
During Ladies Night Out, local women (and men) are encouraged to peruse participating shops in the village of Cazenovia, which will stay open until 8:30 p.m. Tastings of Nelson Farms products will be offered in select locations during the evening.
After the stores close down, ladies are invited to visit the Brae Loch Inn for an informal social gathering with food, beverages, door prizes and raffles. Jennifer Basic will reprise her role as emcee for the event.
The Dec. 2 Christmas Walk will feature caroling and an appearance by Santa Claus as part of the village of Cazenovia’s 34th annual event. The tree lighting ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. and village merchants will remain open for business until 9 p.m.
During Men’s Night Out, most Cazenovia shops will stay open until 9 p.m, whereupon the crowd will migrate to the Lincklaen House for hors d’oeurves and a television raffle.
More information on these and other upcoming events in Cazenovia can be found online at cazenoviachamber.com, by calling 655-9243 or by emailing [email protected].
Pierce Smith is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at 434-8889 ext. 338 or [email protected].
