Our downtowns are full of energy, creativity and holiday spirit this season! Store windows are looking jolly, and twinkling lights are lining our downtown blocks.
But this year, more than ever, our small businesses need you to shop local. With Small Business Saturday behind us we urge you to make a point to shop our downtowns throughout the holiday season.
We invite you to have a cup of cheer at the plethora of locally-owned breweries and coffee shops. Forget big box stores for the moment and check out something handmade from a local artisan or curated by a specialty shop. And make sure to indulge in something delicious at one of the QC’s many family-owned eateries. Our entrepreneurs are the heartbeat of the community and there’s no better time than the holidays to show them some love.
We kicked off our Deck the Downtowns celebration with Rock Island’s tree lighting in the beautifully renovated Arts Alley, complete with hot cocoa, festive martinis and glistening decorations. On Saturday, Nov. 22, we had a near-record turnout for the ever-popular Festival of Trees parade and an awesome showing for our Downtown Davenport Cookie Crawl.
Let’s all keep the momentum going throughout December with events like our ornament hunts, encouraging patrons to explore the many businesses in our downtowns. Find the holiday pickle when you explore Downtown Davenport businesses and win a custom-designed pickle ornament for your own tree designed by artist Carolyn Krueger. When you find the holiday train ornament in Downtown Rock Island businesses, you win a custom-crafted ornament by Crawford Company and Jackson Autobody & Paint. Plus, for both hunts, you’re entered into a drawing for a grand prize. All the details are on our Deck the Downtowns web pages.
While you’re out and about, make sure to participate in the Holiday Display Challenge. You may have already seen some of the incredibly festive storefronts in our downtowns. With more than 70 businesses participating and 20 local artists hired to paint, you can cast your vote for your favorites and win gift cards and goodies. Pick up a flyer at a downtown business to find all participating locations.
So bundle up, rally your shopping buddies and make merry through our downtowns. Every purchase, every stroll past a decorated window and every cup of cheer enjoyed keeps our small businesses shining bright.
See you downtown!
Find all the Deck the Downtowns details at each downtown website:
- Downtown Bettendorf Organization
www.downtownbettendorf.org/events/yearly-events/deck-the-downtowns/
- Downtown Davenport Partnership
www.downtowndavenport.com/deck-the-downtowns
- Rock Island Downtown Alliance
www.downtownrockisland.org/yearly-events/deck-the-downtowns
Kyle Carter is the vice president, Place Management, for the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at [email protected].
