Jackson Street Gets into the Spirit with a Holiday Social

During this holiday season, some Jackson Street shop owners – Adam’s Optics, Community, Dynamite and Jittery Joe’s - have gotten together to welcome holiday shoppers into their stores with an after-hours holiday social this Friday evening from 6-9 pm.

“We’re giving our customers a festive atmosphere to mingle with some of the vendors who’ve made the things they’ve purchased in the past, and enjoy the holiday season while they’re looking for the perfect gift,” says Sanni Baumgärtner, owner of Community.

Starting on the corner of Jackson at Broad Street, Jittery Joe’s will have $1 holiday drink specials of 8 oz apple cider and hot chocolate. There will also be pottery available for purchase by Carter Gillies, Lauren Ziechner, Nancy Green and Kerry Steinberg. Lea Purvis will be on hand with her pottery and paintings, along with the owner of the Crafty Cricket jewelry.

“And we’re offering free gift wrapping for all purchases,” says Lea.

One door up on Jackson (literally – up the stairs above Jittery Joe’s), Community will offer 20% off all vintage clothing, while jewelry vendors Ashley Robison of Cinnabar Lounge, Erika James and Cary Whitley mingle with customers. They will also have tables set up with additional inventory that Community usually doesn’t carry. Clothing designer Shawna Maranville will have a little vintage pop-up shop, featuring vintage clothing. Light refreshments will also be served.

Further up the street, Dynamite will help shoppers get decked out with tons of holiday sweaters, great infinity scarves, and a huge selection of jewelry and gift items, with 15% off total Dynamite purchases. Artist Jack Hudson will also be there with his hand-turned wooden bowls for a unique gift opportunity (separate from the Dynamite sale).  A donation of an unused toy or canned goods is encouraged, and treats will be served.

Then another couple doors up the street, the new kid on the block – after moving from their long-time location on Clayton Street – Adams Optics welcomes everyone to check out their new “hip without the rip” location. In their 34 years of business, they’ve never raised their prices, and for their “shop warming” during the social, they’re going to try something new.

 “We’ve never done this before,” says Jim Adams, “but during the three hours of Friday’s holiday social, any pair of glasses in the store is going to be half price.”

All that and refreshments? Sounds like a great way to meet our Jackson Street neighbors.