Thirty Morristown retailers will be competing in the first annual Walking Tour of Windows Contest that starts Friday.
“We’re ecstatic,” said Ed Kirchdoerffer, general manager of the Community Theatre. “When you’re starting something like this, you don’t know what response you will get. This is a fantastic response. And we hope it improves with twice as many next year.”
Suggested window themes include:
- Santa (think Thomas Nast)
- International Holiday Celebration
- Winter Wonderland
- Historic Holiday
Ballot boxes will be at participating downtown establishments (see list below) so shoppers can vote for their favorite window designs.
Voters will be entered in a drawing to win a gift certificate from the Morristown Partnership, and the winning window decorators, as chosen by the public and a panel of judges, will be recognized onstage at the Community Theatre prior to the Dec. 19 performance of The Nutcracker.
The contest was proposed by theater President Allison Larena.
“Allison looked at all the things we did, and at what else was happening in town,” Ed said. “A lot of people were coming in for shows. But when they’re here, what else can they do in town?”
The Morristown Partnership, which kicks off its annual Christmas Festival on the Morristown Green with Santa’s arrival on Friday night, welcomed the contest as another vehicle for its member retailers to showcase themselves.
“These people are hard workers, working six or seven days a week. Any advantage they can gain to make shoppers feel welcome is good. That’s why we’re on board,” said Jennifer Wehring, marketing director for the Partnership.
Leslie Bensley of the Morris County Tourism Bureau volunteered to help the theater with costs of contest brochures, which also will promote the county Alliance for Tourism’s “Holly Days” roster of holiday events in Morristown and the county.
“We’re excited to support this initiative to turn downtown Morristown into a major holiday tourist destination,” said Carol Barkin, program manager for the tourism bureau.
The Arts Council of the Morris Area also was involved in the contest planning.
“I hope that the merchants in town take this opportunity to start a new Morristown tradition–it is reminiscent of the days when families would come to Morristown to see the window displays, especially in Epstein’s,” said the Arts Council’s Kadie Dempsey, who staged last month’s Halloween pumpkin illumination, the first of many “Arts Everywhere” events anticipated for Morristown.
“People respond to beautiful holiday displays,” Kadie said. “A downtown that creates something for the public to enjoy is a downtown that people will make an effort to visit when they are shopping for holiday gifts.”
Morristown Councilwoman Rebecca Feldman applauded the businesses that registered for the contest.
“This shows that Morristown retailers are ready to roll out the red carpet,” she said.
PARTICIPATING MORRISTOWN ESTABLISHMENTS:
(Vote for your favorite window decorations; contest starts on Friday, Nov. 26!)
A&R Beauty Supply
52 South Street
Avila Multiservices
126 Speedwell Avenue
BC Salon
142 South St.
Brick Oven of Morristown
90 South St.
Century 21 Department Store
1 North Park Place
Cherish the Moment
4 Elm Street
Community Theatre at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts
100 South Street
Cradles to Crayons Childcare & Learning Center
16 Pine Street
E&N Custom Tailor
1 Elm Street
Elite Jewelers
84 South Street
Elliot’s Flower Shoppe
143 Morris Street
Encompass Tanning
16 Pine Street
Enjou Chocolat
8 DeHart Street
The Expert Stitch Alterations
4 Cattano Ave.
4 Ever Michelle Couture
4 South Street
Galapagos Restaurant
98 Speedwell Avenue
Ginty’s Irish Gifts
8 DeHart Street
Glassworks Studio
151 South Street
Greenberry’s Coffee & Tea Company
46 South Park Place
Guerriero’s Ristorante
162 South Street
Jungle Juice
151 Morris Street
Lauren B.
55 South Street
Marty’s Reliable Cycle
173 Speedwell Avenue
Morristown Running Company
31 South Street
Somerset Hills Bank
151 South Street
Rago Brothers Shoe Repair
142 Speedwell Ave.
Shear Bliss
124 Speedwell Ave.
Somerset Hills Bank
151 South St.
Square Luggage
19 Washington Street
Suzi’s Salon & Spa
43 South Street
The Brick Oven of Morristown
90 South Street
The UPS Store
45 South Park Place
