Shop small starts holiday season

Downtown stores filled with holiday shoppers for Shop Small Saturday. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)

Debbie and Kenna (left and second to left) examine their gift certificates and receive directions from Main Street Director Lisa Oetken and Bob Griffith at Santa’s House. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)

Shoppers that spent at least $50 drew for gift certificates at Santa’s House. (AnnaMarie Ward/The Union)

MT. PLEASANT—Holiday shoppers enjoyed a festive atmosphere and great deals while shopping small in Mt. Pleasant Saturday.

Lisa Oetken and Bob Griffith greeted happy holiday shoppers at Santa’s house in Central Park Saturday from 9 a.m.- 1p.m.

Every shopper that showed $50 worth of purchases put their name into a drawing for prizes throughout the morning, and were given the opportunity to draw for a door prize on the spot.

Debbie and Kenna Smith, of Mt. Pleasant, were excited to draw gift certificates from Crew 113 and Skin is my Canvas as they turned their information in for the grand prize drawings.

The Smith group excitedly shared the good deals they found at ETC, and only stopped at Santa’s house long enough to enter the prize drawing.

They quickly left in pursuit of other good holiday finds at local shops around the square.

“We have had a good turn out,” Oetken said. “I think the weather helps.”

The good turn-out translated to the grand prize drawing bag being nearly full by 11 a.m.

Small Business Saturday is only the start of the holidays in Mt. Pleasant.

“We have Pleasantville this Thursday,” Oetken said.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com