Brighter than ever, twinkling lights and lighted window displays illuminate downtown streets.
This winter Downtown Businesses have been expressing their creativity in the form of Holiday Window Displays inspired by the City of St. Catharines’ Let It Glow – A Celebration of Light.
“The Let It Glow initiative has been great for the downtown community providing a month-long celebration of light and spectacular installations that make shopping and spending time downtown extra special and enjoyable during the holiday season,” says Rachel Braithwaite, executive director of the St. Catharines Downtown Association.
“Downtown is one of the best places to find unique gifts and to meet up with friends and family over the holidays and seeing the number of businesses come together to help illuminate our streets shows what makes downtown so unique.”
Participating businesses were given only a string of lights to start and encouraged to find inspiration from the Let It Glow installations throughout the core.
The community was invited to vote for their favourite windows in three categories, Most Creative, Most Elegant, and Best Overall. One lucky community member, Haley L., was selected at random to win $100 in Downtown gift cards. Voting closed Friday night with 4 businesses being chosen.
- Most Creative – (tie) Wind Japanese and Thai & {pocket}CHANGE
- Most Elegant – Pink Bubblegum Vintage
- Best Overall – Archives Wine & Spirit Merchants
Robbie Raskin, the owner of Archives Wine & Spirit Merchants, said it’s been a thrill to win the best overall window for their ‘Christmas in the Neighbourhood’ display. “What made it extra special was that we had the chance to decorate with our customers earlier in the month, so we share the award with them.”
“It’s so great to be a part of the Downtown community,” he shared, “and to feel like we’re contributing to a sense of warmth and togetherness during the holidays.”
If you haven’t had a chance to see the displays yet, fret not!
Most businesses will be open throughout the holidays and the Let It Glow installations will remain in place until January 8th.
This Wednesday, December 21st will be a noteworthy time to visit as the James Street Market will be hosting a Shop Small Glow Up in which dozens of downtown businesses will be staying open late until 9 pm.
We invite you to come to check it out and take in the magic of Downtown.
2022 Holiday Window Display Awards
Best Overall: Archives Wine & Spirit Merchants at 39 James Street.
Most Creative: Pink Bubblegum Vintage at 148 St. Paul Street.
Most Elegant: Wind Japanese and Thai at 131 King Street & {pocket}CHANGE at 393 St. Paul Street.
