Business Notebook: More home for the holidays promotions

WARWICK - Last Sunday, Nov. 19, Warwick’s downtown merchants sponsored the opening festivities for the annual “Home for the Holidays” Christmas shopping season. The all-day celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. was intended to get everyone into the Christmas spirit with most stores decorated with seasonal displays. In addition to convenient shopping, extended hours, personal service, expert advice and gift wrapping, the Warwick merchants also offer gift certificates. When you’re not sure what someone would like, the Warwick gift certificates are the perfect way to say “Merry Christmas” to teachers, coaches and school bus drivers as well as friends and relatives who never hint at what they would like to find under their Christmas tree. More than 60 local businesses, featuring all types of services and merchandises in local shops and restaurants, accept Warwick gift certificates. They are available in $5 and $10 denominations at The Inkwell, Newhard’s, Pecks Wines & Spirits, Sweetbriars and Victorian Secrets. The gift certificates for this holiday season also feature the Merchants’ Guild’s new logo designed by local graphic designer Michael McVey. The creative design will be the Guild’s year round destination logo. Upcoming events during “Home for the Holidays” include the Horse and Buggy Rides and a visit by Santa on Dec. 10, the Menorah Lighting on Friday evening, Dec. 15 and a Christmas Eve sing at the Old School Baptist Meeting House. The Merchants’ Guild Committee urges everyone to save gas, time and aggravation and spend Christmas dollars in our hometown. First anniversary In any business, the first anniversary is an important milestone. It usually means you’re doing something right. On Nov. 7, 2005, Peter Holmgren opened the doors to Village Music at 31 Main St. Holmgren, a professional musician/composer/singer and music teacher, realized that there are lots of musicians and would-be musicians in the Warwick area. He also noticed there was a lack of any convenient location to repair or purchase an instrument or to even find a replacement for a broken guitar string. When we first reported that Village Music would take over the space vacated by the previous tenant, Celtic Imports, it was just prior to the official opening and the store, at that time, was an empty shell. Today it is one of the most attractive shops on Main Street filled with displays of various musical instruments including guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles and a brand new selection of percussion instruments from Bali, Indonesia. Village Music also provides vocal and instrument lessons including guitar, violin, banjo and drum to name a few. The store offers band instrument rentals and sponsors a “Jam Club,” where youngsters or participants of any age learn to improvise and play as a group. In its very first year, Village Music has proven to be a good neighbor by actively participating in community events such as Ladies Night Out and Applefest. Village Music is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays noon to 4 p.m. For additional information or to arrange for lessons call 988-5225 or visit: www.villagemusicwarwick.com SAMAYA jewelry show When Lia Sirelson, owner of SAMAYA Café and Gifts closed her store at 18 Main St., she continued to design the handcrafted jewelry that had made her shop a popular attraction. On Saturday, Dec. 9, from 2 to 7 p.m., Sirelson will host a special sale, “LS Designs,” of her unique jewelry, at Christ Episcopal Church, 50 South St., Warwick. Upcoming chamber events This coming Tuesday, Dec. 5, the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce will sponsor power networking for businesses during a Continental breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at La Petite Cuisine, 20 Railroad Ave. The breakfast is intended to provide guests a unique forum to promote their businesses, while sampling a French breakfast. The cost of the event is $10 for chamber members and $15 for non-chamber members. Advance registration required. For more information contact the chamber office at 986-2720 or e-mail at info@warwickcc.org. The chamber will also hold an “After-Hours Business Mixer” at General’s Garden Greenhouse on Sanfordville Road on Thursday, Dec. 7, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Hosts Michael and Deborah Sweeton will invite guests to judge their favorites among an impressive variety of poinsettias. Chamber members may bring a “not-yet member” for a member fee of $8. R.S.V.P. to chamber office at 986-2720. And bring your business cards. Next Sunday, Dec. 10, Santa will be visiting in his sled at Railroad Green from noon to 3 p.m. The Warwick Chamber and member Realtors sponsor this event, which includes photos with Santa and a horse and buggy ride through the downtown. Look for caroling, brownies and hot apple cider. Call the chamber office or Dina Vaccaro at 986-7500 for more information. Gourmet tasting La Petite Cuisine, 20 Railroad Ave., will be featuring a gourmet tasting on Thursday evening, Dec. 7, from 6-8 p.m. The tasting will consist of several specialty items on the restaurant’s catering menu that are available to special order for parties. “With the holidays around the corner,” said owner Pat Flynn, “many delectable offerings can be prepared to order in addition to a wonderful selection of cheeses and pates sold separately or in gift baskets.” A sampling of French cider will be included. The cost is $15.95 per person. Call 988-0988 for additional information.