Menu
Holiday open houses kick off
SIKESTON — The holiday season has arrived, and many are getting into the spirit by hosting holiday shopping open houses this weekend.
SIKESTON
The annual holiday open house in Historic Downtown Sikeston will begin this Friday, Nov. 10 until 8 p.m. and extend through Saturday, Nov. 11.
The open house, according to Jason Davis, executive director of Historic Downtown Sikeston, is always a great way to kick off the holiday season, and there will be in-store specials and extended hours.
“Many of the merchants typically offer some goodies for their customers during the event,” said Davis.
This year, there will also be free carriage rides and the opportunity to take pictures with Santa, according to Davis.
“The Holiday Open House has always been a sort of kickoff to the special holiday season,” Davis said. “It provides a great opportunity to get an early start on Christmas shopping, enjoy some unique downtown events and meet new and old friends who come to downtown for that personalized shopping experience that you cannot get online or in a big box store.”
Brooke Buchanan, owner of Personal Expressions in Historic Downtown Sikeston, said they will have their usual holiday open house special with a discount storewide and in-stock items, including furniture, jewelry, holiday decorations and more.
Buchanan described the Holiday Open House as a Sikeston downtown tradition that many people look forward to each year.
“When I bought the store 12 years ago, it was a fun, weekend event then, and it has been for many years,” Buchanan said of the open house. “It’s a great time for people in the community to come together and support local businesses and get in the holiday spirit.”
EAST PRAIRIE
This Saturday, Nov. 11 and Sunday, Nov. 12 East Prairie will also host a a business open house. Sales and refreshments will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
East Prairie Chamber Executive Director Cyndi Norton said the annual event is not only for downtown businesses but for all businesses in East Prairie.
“Any retail store or business that sells anything is able to participate,” Norton said. “The open house is a great thing because it’s a jump start on the community’s holiday shopping.”
Customers will be able to purchase various types of refreshments at the participating stores, according to Norton.
PORTAGEVILLE
This weekend, Portageville will be decked out for the holidays for their open house Saturday, Nov. 11 and Sunday, Nov. 12.
Clint Klipfel, president of the Portageville Chamber of Commerce, said on Saturday there will be Christmas tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. at the Portageville Fire Station, and the holiday open house will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. with holiday shopping, prizes and drawings, and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus.
On Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., there will be carriage rides and Christmas caroling.
Sunday will also include holiday shopping, prizes and drawings, and visits from Santa and Mrs. Clause, according to Klipfel. There will also be Christmas village vendors on Main Street.
According to Klipfel, vendor booth prices are as follows: 12x12 booths for $10, concession stands for $25, and food trucks for $25.
Klipfel said all children are encouraged to bring their Christmas letters to Santa.
“Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there for the kids to drop off their Christmas letters, and Santa will write a letter back to them if they provide their address,” Klipfel said. “Children will also be able to have their picture taken with Santa as well.”
NEW MADRID
This weekend, New Madrid will also have a fun shopping day. Stop by JuJu Promotions on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. to get a head start on Christmas gifts or find the perfect holiday decor. There will also be food and the opportunity to register for prizes.
CHARLESTON
Charleston’s “Midnight Madness” Christmas open house will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight on Fridays, Dec. 1, 8 and 15.