By Lisa Carolin
Saturday, Nov. 9, was one of the biggest shopping days of the year in Chelsea, and not only offered a visual preview of the holiday season, but also the weather made it feel like Christmas time.
That didn’t stop loads of visitors from patronizing stores and restaurants in Chelsea for the 14th Annual Wine, Women & Shopping event.
More than three dozen businesses participated offering everything from truffles and macaroons to specials on wine and cocktails. For Bumbles Dry Goods on Main Street, which was handing out free cider and donuts, Wine, Women & Shopping is a huge day for sales.
“This is a really good day for us,” said Kimberly Herter, a sales associate for Bumbles Dry Goods. “We do a month’s worth of sales in a day, and everybody has a good time.”
Shopper Debbie Diedrich from Manchester was a first time visitor to Wine, Women & Shopping.
“I like supporting local vendors,” said Diedrich.
That was the draw for Mary Stone From Hell, Michigan who has attended Wine, Women & Shopping numerous times.
“I like the friendly people, the freebees, and getting my Christmas shopping done early,” she said.
Located in the alleyway at 104 S Main Street, FarmSudz is a relatively new business, but workers already know the importance of the Wine, Women & Shopping event, and offered their own “Farm Stud” who was handing out soap samples.
“This is a busy day, and I look forward to talking to a thousand strangers and turning them on to our products,” said Beth Scarbrough, a sales associate at FarmSudz.
Restaurants and wine shops were offering specials along with raffles that promised gift certificates for participating merchants’ businesses and a grand prize of a an overnight stay at Chelsea’s Comfort Inn, two tickets to the Purple Rose Theatre, and a $50 gift certificate to a participating restaurant.
Adding to the spirit of the day were all the holiday and seasonal items that merchants unveiled to celebrate Wine, Women & Shopping. From scarves and mittens to wooden reindeer to dozens of ornaments and decorations, it was a robust and enjoyable way to celebrate local shopping and to bring in the holiday season.
