Holland merchants don PJs to lure shoppers

Faye’s at Mira, a women’s apparel retailer in downtown Holland, was one of more than 30 retailers that held a successful shopping event called the “Downtown Holland Shopping ’Jam” on the Saturday before Christmas. Dressed in pajamas, robes and slippers, the retailers opened their stores at 7 a.m. to welcome shoppers seeking discounts and fun.

The Holland Sentinel, an event cosponsor, printed a coupon offering a standard discount that started at 30 percent off one item, good for any participating store; the discount decreased each hour until 10—rewarding early-bird shoppers. Each store offered its own promotional specials as well.

Playing on the “early morning” theme, retailers put out breakfast food and beverages, and the Sentinel gave away newspapers. Merchants competed in a pajama contest to win advertising packages in the Sentinel.

Turnout was high and customers appeared to enjoy it, saying they look forward to coming next year. Likewise, participating merchants felt the event should become an annual tradition and are already discussing ways to make the event even more successful in 2005.

Dekker’s Jewelry was one of 13 Zeeland merchants to help raise funds for Hospice of Holland as part of the third annual “Shop for Hospice” event on November 29. By donating 15 percent of one day’s sales to the organization, participating merchants raised more than $1,000 this year.

Liberty Coin Service in Lansing raised funds for more than 50 Michigan schools this holiday season by sponsoring the “Michigan Quarter Bears for Education” program. For every 2004 Michigan Quarter Teddy Bear sold in its store by December 24, Liberty Coin Service donated $2 to a school designated by the purchaser.

The most commonly designated schools were in the Lansing area, but schools as distant as Ann Arbor will receive a check.

One of the “50 States of America Coin Bears™” series, the 9-inch tall collectible Michigan Teddy Bear has a map of Michigan on its chest and an uncirculated 2004 Michigan Quarter on one foot..

The Cove, a gift and ice cream shop in Harrisville, has changed owners. Laurie and Mark Sancho purchased the business from Margaret and Martin Shea. Laurie Sancho had admired the store for years and plans to keep everything similar. The Cove will remain open through the winter.

Frank Yanke, of Yanke Designs in Franklin, received the 2004 Grand Award, the top honor in the 39th Annual Art & Apples Awards. The juried event, held each September in Rochester Hills, included 300 artists from around the world. Art & Apples is among the country’s top 10 fine arts festivals and serves as a fundraiser for Paint Creek Center for the Arts (PCCA) in Rochester.

Paul Derrickson, Master Jeweler at Federico’s Design Jewelers in Traverse City, was awarded an honorable mention from the 2005 American Gem Trade Association’s National Spectrum Award Competition.

The platinum and 18kt rose gold ring was judged on both technical and promotional merits. Derrickson was competing with over 420 international contenders.

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