Holiday Shopping on Marietta Square

Don't let last minute holiday shopping stress you out this year.  Spend a relaxing evening on Marietta Square this Friday, November 13th.  Get into the spirit by enjoying a sneak preview of holiday merchandise from local shopkeepers.

Christmas is seven weeks away, but it's never too early to get into the yuletide spirit, say Marietta Square merchants.

Most of the merchants on the Square will have a Christmas Open House beginning Friday, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Businesses will open their doors for customers to get a glimpse of merchandise. An assortment of door prizes, refreshments and entertainment will be provided as well.

Even if you don't make it this Friday, shops will remain open every Friday until at least 8 p.m. through Dec. 25.

 "The holiday open house really is the kick-off of the holiday season up here on the Square," said Karen Heard, owner of Marietta Wine Market at 18 Powder Spring St., near Marietta Pizza.

 "We're all working to get up our Christmas decorations. On Friday, a lot of the shop owners will put refreshments out. A lot of times they'll do special sales and things for holiday gift items. A lot of the shops will have entertainment."

 Laura Rossiter owns Alchemy jewelry boutique at 77 Church St. and is head of the Marietta Square merchants association. She said the basic idea behind the season-long event is to get people to see what's in the shops they may pass by daily without ever visiting.

 "This is not your average mall," said Theresa Jenkins, executive director of the Marietta Welcome Center & Visitors Bureau. She said the shops and galleries on the Square offer something unique for shoppers.

 "This is where you can find that one-of-a-kind treasure, that unique thing for Christmas. And besides, it's a lot more fun to shop on the Square than it is at the mall."

Stacey Smith owns not one, but two stores on the Square - Doodlebugz gift boutique and Lizards & Lollipopz toy store, which opened on Oct. 1. She'll be participating in the Christmas Open House and said Doodlebugz, located at the corner of West Park Square and Roswell Street, will feature Kennesaw artist Laura Kirkland who'll be signing her Christmas ornaments.

 "I'm very excited about Christmas," Smith said. "I love the holidays.

The weather will be beautiful, so treat yourself to a fun evening on Marietta Square.  Don't forget to enjoy a leisurely dinner at one of the Square's several high quality restaurants, too.  With the busy holiday season just a few weeks away, you deserve it!