Month of Merriment Begins in Berkley with Small Business Saturday
(Downtown Berkley, Nov. 22, 2018, orig. Nov. 19, 2018)
BERKLEY, MI. – The Berkley Downtown Development Authority (DDA) heralds the holidays with a month-long celebration filled with events and activities the whole family can enjoy during MerriMonth. Beginning Nov. 24 and continuing through Dec. 24, visitors to the eclectic, quirky city that makes it easy to park, can stroll and shop at a wide variety of independent, locally-owned shops, dine at any one of its popular eateries and frolic in plenty of seasonal fun – all in a festive atmosphere.
“There’s no place like Downtown Berkley to celebrate the holidays,” said Vivian Carmody, executive director, Berkley Downtown Development Authority (DDA). “With its two retail and dining districts filled with a diverse mix of shops and eateries, there’s something for everyone – from shoppers to music and art lovers to kids. Additionally, when folks buy local they can feel good about supporting small business owners and entrepreneurs and making a positive impact on the local economy and environment.”
Kicking off the MerriMonth lineup is Small Business Saturday, Nov. 24, where visitors can shop and text for a chance to win $5,000 and look for their favorite window display. Online voting for the People’s Choice Award will be open Dec. 7 until Dec. 24. They also can help residents at large who need a hand up by contributing to a food drive through Dec. 22, benefiting Gleaners Community Food Bank.
On Saturday, Dec. 1, families can bring the little ones to a petting zoo and warm up in a station with tasty s’mores during the afternoon, and then gather for the city’s Holiday Lights Parade and official tree lighting ceremony in the evening, complete with Santa’s arrival and carriage rides through the downtown streets. Many shops will stay open late to celebrate the return of the man in red.
Santa visits with children beginning at 11 a.m. the following day at the Berkley Public Library. To keep them occupied while waiting in line, children can enter a coloring contest. Goodie bags are available to the parents and include coupons donated by local merchants. Additionally, $30 gift certificates donated by retailers, such as Have You Any Wool?, Berkley Eyewear & Local Sunglass Co., Articipate, and the Recipe Kit Warehouse, as well as $25 MerriMoney bills, will be sprinkled throughout.
One lucky shopper drawn from the entry forms collected on Merry & Bright Shopping Night, held Friday, Dec 7, will win $500 in MerriMoney and two others will win $250 each, also in MerriMoney, to redeem at any one or more of Berkley’s participating shops, valid through February 2019. Maps to participating stores and entry forms will be available that evening and there is no purchase necessary. In partnership with Rainbow Girls, child care will be offered for children ages 4 to 10 (must be potty-trained) from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The cost for child care is $20 per child and a majority of the proceeds will go toward the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Wrapping up the MerriMonth events is MerriPets Pictures with Santa at Nova Chiropractic, MerriMix & Mingle Ugly Sweater Shindig at Berkley VFW and two MerriMusic concerts: the Lillian Dean Wind Quintet Cantabile and James O’Donnell Jazz Concert, both at Berkley First United Church.
Shoppers looking to stay fueled and hydrated can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at one of the city’s many diverse eateries. Menu options include craft beers, Piedmontese beef burgers, fresh from-the-oven pizza, homemade pierogi, gluten-free pastries, mouth-watering cannoli, creamy ice cream and more.
The following is a complete list of MerriMonth events and activities:
Nov. 24 to Dec. 24
Window Decorating Contest – Vote for Your Favorite!
Nov. 24 to Dec. 22
Merrily We Share Food Drive to benefit Gleaners at the Berkley Public Library
Saturday, Nov. 24
Small Business Saturday – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shop, Text, and have the chance to Win $5,000!
Saturday, Dec. 1
Petting Zoo & S’mores Warming Station – 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Holiday Lights Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony – 5:30 p.m.
Meet Santa and enjoy carriage rides!
Sunday, Dec. 2
Santa at the Berkley Public Library – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Coloring contest, goodie bags for parents!
Friday, Dec. 7
Merry & Bright Shopping Night – 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Holiday gifts galore, plus beverages and tasty treats to warm your spirits!
Saturday, Dec. 8
Lillian Dean MerriMusic Wind Quintet Cantabile – 2:30 p.m. at Berkley First Church
Friday, Dec. 14
MerriPets Pictures with Santa – 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Nova Chiropractic
Saturday, Dec. 15
MerriMix & Mingle Ugly Sweater Shindig! – 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Berkley VFW
Win prizes!
Sunday, Dec. 16
James O’Donnell MerriMusic Jazz Concert – 3 p.m. at Berkley First United Church
Downtown Berkley is home to more than 55 specialty retail shops, from women’s clothing and accessories, Irish goods, Michigan made, bridal, antiques, tailoring, sports memorabilia, art and a designer eyeglass store to games, crafts, a knitting shop, collectibles and comics. An array of hand-crafted goods are available as well, whether it’s jewelry, violins, artwork or a piece of pottery.
Many of Berkley’s shops will be open every Sunday between Thanksgiving and Christmas for shoppers’ convenience. Extended shopping hours will be offered after the Holiday Lights Parade on Dec. 1 and during the Merry & Bright Shopping Night on Dec. 7.
About Downtown Berkley
The Berkley Downtown Development Authority is a community-driven organization striving to enhance the shopping experience, economic vitality and physical appearance of Coolidge Highway and Twelve Mile Road — Berkley’s traditional commercial Districts. The organization strives to achieve its mission by being creative, focused, transparent, forward-thinking and engaged with its Downtown stakeholders and community. For more information visit https://downtownberkley.com/.