Traditionally, the December Gallery Hop, or “Holiday Hop” as it’s known, is the busiest day of the year for many Short North businesses. Unfortunately, the weather turned nasty on December 6th and the freezing temperatures and icy roads kept a lot of people from venturing out that night.
So now it’s time for a bit of a do-over. On Saturday, December 20th, the Short North will be holding a special “Holiday [s]Hop” event with most stores holding extended hours from 11AM to 9PM. This should give everyone a chance who missed out the first time around and will be a great opportunity for everyone else to do their last minute shopping at many of our city’s great best boutiques.
PRESS RELEASE: Short North announces debut of Holiday [s]Hop
Short North Arts District, Columbus, OH-Following the surprise Alberta Clipper on Saturday, Dec. 6, owners of boutiques, restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs began talking about a Short North first: a Hop do-over… a second chance for Columbus to experience the energy, lights, and buzz of Holiday Hop, coupled with Super Saturday shopping specials. Holiday [s]Hop.
Wind chills in the lower teens, icy roadways, and media warnings to stay home left many would-be-Holiday-Hoppers holed up without their annual emersion in the urban experience. “We’ve talked to so many people who are down about missing Holiday Hop,” says Carmen Owens, co-owner of Surly Girl Saloon. “It’s a Columbus tradition that thousands look forward to each year.”
Holiday Hop typically attracts upwards of 20,000 visitors. Given the extreme weather conditions, organizers were amazed to see nearly10,000 still found their way to the High Street corridor, yet they knew there were many who could not get there.
“We’re excited that the district was game to give it another go,” says Maria Galloway, owner of pm gallery and co-founder of Gallery Hop. “This will be a first. We’ve never had a mulligan for Hop. And Holiday [s[Hop will have its own signature – an extra focus on Super Saturday and the last minute gift buying scene. I think visitors will greatly enjoy it.”
The District is planning visits with Santa, street performers, in-shop performers, and a number of surprises. Merchants will be creating shopping experiences and special sales just in time for last minute shopping. The mile-long stretch of High Street arches will even get a new program tailored for the evening… a sparkling, ever-changing rainbow of colors, twinkling and jumping from arch to arch.
What: Holiday [s]Hop:
When: Saturday, December 20
11AM – 9PM (and later)Where: Short North Arts District
High Street (and side streets) from Nationwide Boulevard to Fifth AvenueInfo: www.shortnorth.org or [email protected]
