Erika Spence: Business in the Park

Shop local this holiday season

I hope that by now you’ve had a chance to make some plans for Small Business Saturday shopping this weekend. This is your chance to show your support for the locally owned, independent small businesses in our community on Nov. 30. At this week’s City Commission meeting, Mayor Ken Bradley proclaimed Nov. 30 to be “Small Business Saturday” in the city of Winter Park, encouraging citizens to do a portion of their holiday shopping at small businesses this year.

For you last minute planners, here’s what you can do. American Express cardholders can register their cards online at ShopSmall.com to be eligible for a $10 statement credit if you make a purchase of $10 or more on Small Business Saturday at a participating merchant. Then, visit ExperienceParkAvenue.com for a list of small businesses with special promotions for the day, and a map to guide you in your shopping.

If you’re travelling for Thanksgiving weekend, or need another reason to shop with Park Avenue merchants this holiday season, shop on by on Friday, Dec. 13, for the annual Merchant Holiday Open House from 5 to 8 p.m. Enjoy an evening on the Avenue with Friday Nights at the Morse, plus holiday refreshments and extended store hours, and some strolling musicians at select stores.

Holiday traditions on the calendar

Take a break from your shopping for some local holiday traditions. Join the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Winter Park alumni for three events within an 18-hour period, beginning Friday, Dec. 6. Come down to Central Park and celebrate at the annual Holiday Tree Lighting presented by Winter Park Towers. Beginning at 5 p.m., local children’s choirs will perform favorite carols, followed by the lighting of the holiday tree, live on WFTV Channel 9 with anchor Bob Opsahl.

Come back the following morning (Dec. 7) for the Leadership Winter Park Pancake Breakfast, a fundraiser for our local elementary schools. The breakfast is presented by Fannie Hillman + Associates and Vanson Constructors and features hot pancakes and sausage, coffee, juice and delicious toppings by Whole Foods Market Winter Park. The breakfast runs from 7 to 10:30 a.m. and tickets are available in advance at winterpark.org, at the Winter Park Welcome Center and the morning of the event.

Also on Dec. 7, you won’t want to miss the 61st annual Winter Park “Ye Olde Hometown” Christmas Parade. This traditional parade features 100 units, including marching bands, dance troupes, scout troupes, local dignitaries, and Santa Claus. The parade makes its way down Park Avenue at 9 a.m. and lasts about 90 minutes.

Vote early, vote often

There are two opportunities to vote for some of your favorite local businesses this holiday season. The first is the city of Winter Park’s “Winter in the Park” Holiday Window Contest. You can help determine the winner of this award, which recognizes local businesses for their creative window decorations. You can vote for your favorites from Dec. 8 to 22 at cityofwinterpark.org/WITP or by scanning the code to the left and in participating merchant windows. The award winner will receive a $250 electric utility bill credit also generously provided by the City of Winter Park Electric Utility Department.

The other opportunity is the prestigious Ovations Awards. Now in its second year, the ‘best of’ guide recognizes 50 local businesses as voted by you! The task may seem daunting because it is not a multiple-choice quiz, but a fill-the-blank, write-in vote is truly by the people, for the people. Voting is open now through Jan. 5. Awards will be presented at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce January Business After Hours event and a special guide will be printed in the Winter Park-Maitland Observer in February 2014. Online voting is available at wpmobserver.com

Best wishes for magical holiday memories this season!

Erika Spence is the senior director of marketing and communications at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce.@