Columbia to ring in holiday season with Christmas events, sales
The Susquehanna River isn’t just a summertime escape. Its neighboring towns are a holiday destination, too.
“A renaissance is occurring in downtown Columbia,” says Bill Kloidt, executive director of Columbia Economic Development Organization. Kloidt credits this to factors like the creation of the Merchants Association of Columbia, led by its president, Don Murphy (who’s also at the helm of restoring Hotel Columbia).
Kloidt adds that new businesses in Columbia, including Griddles Malt Shoppe, 315 Locust St.; Let’s Roll Electric Bike Shop, 132 Locust St.; and Hotel Columbia Collectibles, 315A Locust St., contribute to the lively downtown feel. The restoration of the historic Columbia Market House (open on Saturdays, perfectly aligning with Small Business Saturday) and the opening of Columbia Crossing River Trails Center only add to the excitement.
Columbia is welcoming the holiday season in style, with a Christmas in Columbia event all day this Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25. To start things off, Santa’s Fire Truck Parade to Hinkle’s Restaurant will begin around 8:30 a.m., with pictures with Santa at Hinkle’s until 11 a.m. Families can enjoy Christmas cookie decorating and Santa’s Workshop (a space where children can pick out gifts for their parents) at Columbia Market House until
Later on, St. Peter’s Catholic Church Choir will put on a show at 5:15 p.m., and Mrs. Claus will read “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” at the Christmas tree prior to its lighting at Locust Street Park at 6 p.m.
For shopping enthusiasts, small businesses around Columbia are setting the vibes with sales and special events on Small Business Saturday. Let’s Roll will offer a deal for people to buy one rental and get the second rental half off or buy two rentals and get the third for free. If you buy one e-bike, you’ll get $50 in accessories for free.
Kindred Collections, 452 Locust St., an artisan shop featuring about 100 artists in about 6,000 square feet of retail space, will showcase their holiday market for the first time, dubbed Kindred Square.
“Think of a Hallmark movie,” says Karen Bulthaupt when describing the market, which has gifts from an additional 50 vendors.
Kindred is artist-owned by three women who wanted a space to not only showcase their own art, but also that of their peers. Bulthaupt runs Kreative Klutter, offering vintage and upcycled decor and handcrafted items. The other owners, Julie Hess (of Ladybugs & Flutterbies) and Audrey Lape (of Audrey’s Felted Inspirations), bring their own taste of creativity, as do the wide swath of other artists around the building.
The shop is four years old but may be coming into its own in recent times, having first launched just prior to the pandemic.
In addition to its general vendor areas and holiday market, Kindred has a pantry section offering high-end coffee, candy, chocolate and tea. Most people have a foodie on their shopping list, making this a must-stop for local fare.
For Small Business Saturday, Kindred plans to serve light refreshments and complimentary coffee, tea and hot cocoa, as well as run a door prize for guests.
As locals and visitors do their shopping and exploring, Kloidt says Locust Street will be much more pedestrian friendly this year thanks to the relocation of Route 441 out of the downtown area to a bypass located on the borough limits.
With a new location of Prince Street Cafe at 301 Locust St., in addition to other favorite caffeine and sweet treat enablers like Coffee & Cream at 101 N. Front St., fueling up for a day of shopping on Small Business Saturday will be a breeze.
And because of Columbia’s overall accessibility — meaning you can shop among the landmark antique shops and new businesses alike without going far — it’s a day’s event that won’t wear the soles.
