|
 Included on the long list of shopping locations
this year were markets in Chestnut, Elkhart, Lake Fork and Mount
Pulaski.
In Mount Pulaski the historic Mount Pulaski Courthouse was open to
visitors. Inside site manager Rene’ Martin and her volunteers
greeted guests and invited them to take a quick tour of the
courthouse, enjoy a warm beverage, then grab a map and head out for
the best shopping experience imaginable.
In the downtown area, there were a number of merchants who had
special sells going on and of course offered sweet treats for guests
to enjoy as they shopped.
Visiting the merchants, Jules Flower Shop was offering 50 percent
off all the merchandise in the store. Salt Creek Attic had a huge
selection of hand crafted items for sale and shoppers were grabbing
up lots of great items for their holiday decorating and gift giving.
In addition to merchants, the Hill Top Club had turned their meeting
area into a vendor market for small businesses. Items inside
included everything from handmade items to retail merchandise from
home based businesses such as Pampered Chef.
The Mount Pulaski Township Historical and Genealogical Society was
also open with a giant indoor rummage sale going on. Member Allen
Schaal said that it had been a really busy morning for the society.
He estimated that of all that was left for sale at noon, the
collection of items was only about half as many as when they had
begun the day.
All the items included in the society sale were donated by members
and the community with all the proceeds going to the regular upkeep
of the society center and museum.
Outside on the square, a familiar face was seen, drawing lots of
attention. The Traveling Top Hat from Lincoln was set up and guests
were enjoying warm treats as they walked about outside in the crisp,
but not too cold day.
In addition to downtown merchants and organizations, there were
vendor markets going on in Mount Pulaski at the schools and at the
American Legion.
At the American Legion, business was steady but not too crowded over
the noon hour. Shoppers were taking in all that was offered from the
many vendors inside the Legion building.
Again, there were familiar faces, people from the Mount Pulaski
area, and a few from Lincoln as well.
Phyllis Beccue was humming about the building helping to keep an eye
on everyone and lending a helpful hand as needed. Beccue is one
owner of the Salt Creek Attic. She said her counterparts were more
than capable of taking care of the store, so she had come to the
Legion to help out there.
[to top of second column] |
Other familiar faces included those of Bob and Cindy Dunovsky
from Lincoln. The two make beautiful items from wood and resin in Bob’s
Woodshop.
Bob said that they had lucked out because they were originally assigned to share
one regular sized slot in the Legion. Then at the last minute, they were told
that there had been one cancellation, so the Dunovsky’s could double their space
if they wanted. Bob said that they were happy they had that opportunity because
their sales had been terrific.
Outside at the Legion, the Mount Pulaski Boy Scout Troop was busy at the grill
as the lunch hour approached. The group was selling fresh hot sandwiches for a
grab and go lunch.
In Elkhart, three downtown merchants took advantage of the Vinegar Hill weekend
to host special open houses at each of their stores.
Birdsong was busy with shoppers there to pick up something vintage to offer as a
gift this year, or incorporate into their old time Christmas décor. The shop
offers everything vintage from décor to clothing, jewelry, vintage games and
toys, Christmas decorations and a huge selection of gently used books. Shoppers
were very much enjoying the opportunity to take in all the shop had to offer.
Just down the street, the Country Bumpkin was greeting guests with warm cider
and cookies. The beautifully decorated store filled with antiques and some
primitives was a delight to take in.
Across the street, Horsefeathers and the Wild Hare Café’ were very busy. The two
in one shop and dine establishment was bustling as folks stopped in to shop and
also enjoy a late morning snack or early lunch. Owners Peter and Andrea Niehaus
were busy. Andrea was working throughout the store, greeting customers and
assisting them in finding specific items. Peter was keeping a large table filled
with cookies and cinnamon rolls that everyone could enjoy along with a warm
beverage.
Horsefeathers offers so much to see and buy. From art to floral arrangements to
vintage jewelry to antique dishes and collectibles, and Amish made foods, the
shop is a great place to visit any time of the year.
While the crux of the Vinegar Hill shopping day has always been the vendor
markets, seeing merchants in Mount Pulaski and other communities get involved is
a good thing too. While the weekend is over, the offerings at these amazing
shops is still available. If you missed Vinegar Hill, don’t be dismayed, the
shops in Mount Pulaski and Elkhart still have plenty of inventories and are
anxious to serve you with all your shopping needs.
[Nila Smith] |
