Did you know there is a nationwide movement going on to bring attention to the plight of independently owned small businesses? The first ever “Small Business Saturday” was started by American Express Open and is catching like wildfire. There is a website (www.smallbusinesssaturday.com) and a massive Facebook movement to publicize the event. According to the website, “This is a day to come together in support of the small businesses we love, the shops and restaurants that employ our neighbors and reinvest our money close to home, the businesses that are the heartbeat of our communities and local economies.”

As I write this, 634,328 people have joined the movement on Facebook and the list keeps growing by the second. I hope the same enthusiasm catches fire in our own backyard. There is nothing quite like the Montrose Shopping Park. It would be a joy to see our streets bustling with shoppers as they ring in the season this Saturday.

Speaking of ringing in the season, please join us this Friday, Nov. 26, as we begin our Annual Old Town Christmas celebration by lighting up the entire shopping park with millions of little white lights. Street musicians playing your favorite holiday tunes, our strolling Santa, and complimentary horse drawn carriage rides will enhance your weekend shopping. There’s so much to enjoy in our little town. Why fight the crowds when you can come here and shop, dine, and pamper yourself, finding plenty of free parking?

For those of you that mark your calendars, the 34th Annual Montrose-Glendale Christmas Parade takes place Saturday, Dec. 4. This will be our best parade yet as organizers have been meeting diligently for months to plan. We anticipate a well-executed, action-packed parade with lots of local celebrities and no gaps.

Friday night, Dec. 3, from 5-10 p.m. LaPerla Design Gallery will host their Holiday Open House. Owners Jake and George have such good taste and know how to throw a party! So do stop by and see their exclusive Michael Aram collection. Who knows – maybe some other stores will join them in opening late that night for your shopping pleasure. Thanks for reading and we look forward to seeing you here in the MSP. Spread the word! Tell your friends!

  Business, Mary Dawson