I’m very delighted to let you know that the Double Value Gift Card Sale was a huge success. The Holly City Development Corporation and Millville Development Corporation aka Glasstown Arts District partnered for the third year to offer this program. A total of 21 businesses participated and 122 people purchased hundreds of gift cards.

The total sold was $39,157. That amount is doubled from the grants from the Neighborhood Preservation Program, NRTC, and NJ Cultural Recovery grants. That means that $78,314 will be spent at these businesses during the coming months. All of the businesses will have the full amount in their accounts by the time you read this article.

Many thanks go to all of the area residents who came out on Small Business Saturday, November 26, to support local and independent business owners and artists in Millville Glasstown Arts District. You are the best!

Please continue to shop, dine, and see concerts and movies throughout the holiday season. Our Holiday Discount program will continue through the end of December. Please remember to fill out your free entry form at any of the 17 participating businesses to have a chance to win $500 in “Downtown Dollars.” These dollars can be spent at any of the 17 shops. The winner will be drawn at 7 p.m. on Third Friday, December 16, at the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts. You need not be present to win.

Also on Third Friday, there will be a Christmas caroling group from 6 to 8 p.m. on High Street. The carolers are from B & B Barber Shop and Hope & Liberty Services. They will be strolling downtown and going into some of the restaurants and shops.

Shopping for holiday gifts in the shops and galleries in the Arts District is easy and fun. There is so much to choose from for the women and men on your special persons lists. There certainly are some items that are perfect for your kids and teens. You can stock up on beautiful handcrafted décor items to give to the hosts and hostesses of your favorite holiday open houses and parties. Yours will be special because it is unique and took time to create and your time to select the best items.

Make sure to treat yourself to a fun and delicious evening out with friends at one of our restaurants or pubs. What better way to wrap up a day or evening of shopping than by treating yourself.

Don’t forget to make your appointment to get a new hairdo or haircut at one of our salons or barbershops or pampering at one of our day spas.

Still don’t know what to buy for some of the people on your list. You can’t go wrong with a beautiful holiday flower or seasonal bouquet or centerpiece from Colonial Flowers.

How about gift certificates to restaurants and the Levoy Theatre. Your family and friends will love them!

Your interest and support of the arts and small businesses is very appreciated by all of us who continue to work to make our town the best place to live. We thank you very much!

Happy Shopping!