Start the shopping early at the Berlin Christmas Open House
Although it seems like Christmas is still a ways away, now is the perfect time for anyone to start their Christmas shopping or get going on that special holiday project. Many gift givers and holiday decorators wait until the last minute to load up the stockings, hang the garland and put the presents under the tree, but with the Berlin Christmas Open House, that doesn’t have to be what happens this year.
Twenty-eight years ago, Country Craft Cupboard in downtown Berlin came up with the idea for the open house, and today, it has evolved into an exciting shopping event involving many popular businesses. The event takes place Friday, Nov. 11 and Saturday, Nov. 12 throughout downtown Berlin, where merchants like Country Craft Cupboard offer great deals and spectacular discounts on their quality products.
Karen Lamp, president of the Berlin Main Street Merchants and owner of Country Craft Cupboard, describes the beginning of the Berlin Christmas Open House. “We were one of two stores that started the open house. The other store is no longer in business, but we’ve kept it going these 28 years, and in the last few years, as more businesses have opened, some of them have joined in with us.”
The storewide sale at Country Craft Cupboard includes 20 percent off in-stock merchandise, gift card giveaways, refreshments and plenty of ideas for those who want to get creative this holiday season.
“We offer craft supplies and we always decorate the store for Christmas, so we have fresh ideas for handmade gifts and homemade things for decorating your house,” explained Lamp. Shoppers will see displays that Country Craft Cupboard has not yet brought out this season, making it a surprise as far as what they’ve been busy working on the past few months. And with the shopping event happening now, with plenty of time left before the Christmas season gets into full swing, shoppers looking to craft their own homemade gifts are still able to get the ball rolling.
“Those gifts you can make yourself… we have found they mean a lot more to people when you give them because they know you’ve spent a lot of time on them and put more of yourself into it,” said Lamp.
Although the event started small with just Country Craft Cupboard, other merchants have unofficially joined in the event, boasting their own sales and specials for shoppers visiting the area that weekend. Country Craft Cupboard runs their open house on Friday only, with extended hours, but other businesses will participate Thursday through Saturday.
“This went very well right from the start,” said Lamp. “It established a tradition and people just kept coming back as more stores began to participate.”
Shops participating this year include The Olde Thyme Homespun Shoppe, Helping Hands Quilt Shop and Museum, Gospel Book Store, Berlin Bulk Foods, Berlin Farmstead by Dutchman Hospitality, Angel’s Touch Doll Shop, Zinck’s Outlet, Tis the Season, Ms. Gadgets, Gramma Fannie’s Quilt Barn and Berlin Village Gift Barn.
So head on into town for the Berlin Christmas Open House, and stop by all the exciting downtown shops, including Country Craft Cupboard, the one that started it all.
Twenty-eight years ago, Country Craft Cupboard in downtown Berlin came up with the idea for the open house, and today, it has evolved into an exciting shopping event involving many popular businesses. The event takes place Friday, Nov. 11 and Saturday, Nov. 12 throughout downtown Berlin, where merchants like Country Craft Cupboard offer great deals and spectacular discounts on their quality products.
Karen Lamp, president of the Berlin Main Street Merchants and owner of Country Craft Cupboard, describes the beginning of the Berlin Christmas Open House. “We were one of two stores that started the open house. The other store is no longer in business, but we’ve kept it going these 28 years, and in the last few years, as more businesses have opened, some of them have joined in with us.”
The storewide sale at Country Craft Cupboard includes 20 percent off in-stock merchandise, gift card giveaways, refreshments and plenty of ideas for those who want to get creative this holiday season.
“We offer craft supplies and we always decorate the store for Christmas, so we have fresh ideas for handmade gifts and homemade things for decorating your house,” explained Lamp. Shoppers will see displays that Country Craft Cupboard has not yet brought out this season, making it a surprise as far as what they’ve been busy working on the past few months. And with the shopping event happening now, with plenty of time left before the Christmas season gets into full swing, shoppers looking to craft their own homemade gifts are still able to get the ball rolling.
“Those gifts you can make yourself… we have found they mean a lot more to people when you give them because they know you’ve spent a lot of time on them and put more of yourself into it,” said Lamp.
Although the event started small with just Country Craft Cupboard, other merchants have unofficially joined in the event, boasting their own sales and specials for shoppers visiting the area that weekend. Country Craft Cupboard runs their open house on Friday only, with extended hours, but other businesses will participate Thursday through Saturday.
“This went very well right from the start,” said Lamp. “It established a tradition and people just kept coming back as more stores began to participate.”
Shops participating this year include The Olde Thyme Homespun Shoppe, Helping Hands Quilt Shop and Museum, Gospel Book Store, Berlin Bulk Foods, Berlin Farmstead by Dutchman Hospitality, Angel’s Touch Doll Shop, Zinck’s Outlet, Tis the Season, Ms. Gadgets, Gramma Fannie’s Quilt Barn and Berlin Village Gift Barn.
So head on into town for the Berlin Christmas Open House, and stop by all the exciting downtown shops, including Country Craft Cupboard, the one that started it all.
Published: November 4, 2011
