Millersburg shoppers party in their PJ's
The event was the brainchild of Caren Starr of Starlight Antiques. "We had an artist scheduled to come on Sunday," said Starr. "We usually draw an average of 200 people for his signings and figured they might as well see the rest of Millersburg while they're at it. So we decided to make it a weekend of activities. We mentioned it at the business meeting, and the reception was wonderful. We're hoping it will become an annual event."
In order to put a unique spin on the pajama party idea, the group decided to do a Saturday evening sale from 7-11 p.m. followed by Sunday afternoon signings. "It is the largest sale we've ever had," said Starr, who offered discounts of up to 75 percent in her shop. Sunday afternoon, Starlight Antiques hosted Billy Jacobs of Navarre, a nationally-known folk artist who paints local buildings and scenes.
Holmes County artist Cheryl Miller also came to town for the event. Miller's drawings of the Holmes County courthouse and other area buildings are well known. "I liked her work so well, I called her and asked to carry it in our store," said Village Antiques owner Lori Ramsey, who hosted Miller's signing.
Hotel Millersburg joined in the fun too, with restaurant specials and a visit from painter Robert VanNatta. Many of the hotel's out-of-town guests took the opportunity to shop the sales and plenty of area residents came out as well. Holly Ballard said she was enjoying a girls' night out, shopping with her friend Lori Pringle to furnish her new home. "It's fun to shop local and get into these downtown stores that you don't usually get to stop at when you drive through town," Pringle said.
Amish Country Essentials owner Tracy Cultice said she has been impressed with the increasing numbers of tourists shopping in Millersburg as the downtown area continues to grow. Cultice offered 20 percent discounts to shoppers wearing pajamas, massages, and soap-making demonstrations by manager Jim Zeno on Saturday evening.
The Jewelry Store's deep discounts attracted a good crowd of PJ partiers. "We said we're giving half off half the store half the night," said store owner Sue Szpila. "It's been a lot of fun." The Antique Emporium also enticed customers with rug braiding demonstrations and discounts throughout the store.
Shaker House Antiques was a flurry of activity with home party sales, massages, live music and refreshments Saturday evening. "We've got a whole lot of shakin' going on!" said owner Jane Johnston. Musicians included Irish trio Dublin Over and Roger Fagin on electric guitar. At the front of the store, Debbie Moffett of Somewhere Sewing stitched pillowcases for cancer patients. "Since it's a pajama party, we decided to do pillowcases. It benefits a charity and gets us into the spirit of the thing," she said. Shaker House also hosted a benefit pancake and sausage breakfast for the Stefanie Kauffman Fund Sunday morning.
Several merchants offered sales on items that tied in with the pajama theme. Phyllis Young of Young's Uniform & Scrubs ran specials on satin pillowcases and Egyptian cotton sheets. The Pioneer Loft took the pajama theme a step further with an Ugliest Jammies contest.
Starr is already looking forward to next year's event. "For the first year, I'm impressed," she said. "It can only grow!"
Published: April 12, 2011
