It’s officially Christmas in Columbus as the 2007 Holiday Hop kicks off in the Short North. Every Saturday from Dec. 1 to Dec. 22, the largest gallery hop of the year will transform the district into a winter wonderland perfect for holiday gift buying.
“The Holiday Hop is the Gallery Hop on steroids,” says John Angelo, executive director of the Short North Business Association. Angelo explained that the Short North always has a certain energy, but the added holiday touch adds even more to the city-vibe. Entertainment including choral groups, photos with Santa, ice carvings and carriage rides are only a few of the free events that are offered this season.
On top of the events Holiday Hop patrons have come to expect, the SNBA has improved the district’s ambiance. For the first year the Short North arches will be lit with colored holiday lights. Angelo explains that this minor change is worth the effort. “It creates an urban holiday feel that has been missing,” he says.
Participating stores will offer seasonal Gift Giving Guides, which highlight items that can be purchased in the shopping district. Any shopper can pick up a copy of this guide from participating businesses or at www.ShortNorth.org starting on Dec. 1. The SNBA assists the store owners in assembling a guide for holiday shoppers. “It gets people's juices going during the holidays,” says Angelo.
Although shoppers can find comfort in their favorite shops, new shops may also add a interest to those familiar with the Short North. Flower Child, a store that specializes in furniture, fashion and accessories from the 1930s to the 1970s, opened on Sept. 1 and is located at 989 N. High St. According to Angelo, the owner of the store, Joe Valenti, created the props for the 1983 holiday favorite A Christmas Story. Along with many other retro buys, the infamous leg lamp from the film is available at this store.
According to Angelo, the Holiday Hop is more than just the average trip to the Short North. The stores are filled with art and music. Similarly, each store is packed with anywhere from 50 to 100 people at a time. To add to the appeal of the Hop, one $1,500 shopping spree will be given away. In order to register, shoppers must vote for their favorite store window. Ballots may be cast at most stores in the Short North. Voting is open from Dec. 1 to Dec. 12 and the winner will be announced on Dec. 13.
The Holiday Hop is a not only a great opportunity to buy but also to give. The Holiday Hub, located by the Victorian Gate in the center of the Short North, collects unwrapped gifts for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio and the Short Stop Youth Center.
The involvement of the stores in the Short North during the Holiday Hop creates a community feel. The store owners enjoy the festivities as much as those who come to shop. According to Angelo, the enthusiasm of the business owners adds to the air of excitement at the Holiday Hop. “All the stores really embrace that special feel,” he says.