COLORADO SPRINGS — If you're still stressing about holiday shopping because you can't seem to find that one unique gift, and maybe store hours aren't working in your favor, tonight the shops in downtown Colorado Springs will be welcoming shoppers after-hours!
These shops will be open until 8 p.m. as part of the annual Holiday Stroll event, giving shoppers a chance to come out here after they get out of work.
Santa Claus will even be making a couple of appearances throughout the night.
This event is a way to support local business, while offering shoppers one-of-a-kind gifts they won't find anywhere else.
We spoke with the folks of Eclectic CO., a vendor market that sells a variety of unique sustainable handmade items from local artists - from home goods, to highly-detailed jewelry like earrings, and stylish vintage clothing.
Each store is offering one-night deals and discounts. At Eclectic CO. for instance, they're offering free gift-wrapping.
These shops are finding a way to encourage shoppers to check out the many artists that make our community so special.
"If you stop at this store, then you are helping local people," said Patti Kryzanowski, a vendor and employee at Eclectic CO. "We have several artists that don't have another job. This is their primary income."
"You'll find handmade gifts, you'll find local gifts, truly unique items that you can't find them at the big-box stores," said, Laurel Prud’homme, Vice President of Communications of the Downtown Partnership.
There are a variety of safe ways you can shop for these items, too.
- You can order online/on the phone and have your order delivered for free within the city of Colorado Springs when you order from certain shops (or have it shipped elsewhere with a standard shipping fee).
- You can order online/on the phone and pick up your order in person.
- You can order online/on the phone and pick up your order curbside from the comfort of your car. (There are specifically designated curbside pickup parking spots throughout the downtown area. You simply wait in your car and someone will bring your order out to you).
- You can do some old-fashioned browsing in person. Masks are required and each store has its own social distancing walk-through pattern.
