Elkhart businesses enjoy steady traffic on their open house weekend

 

[November 25, 2024] 

On Saturday, three of the downtown businesses in Elkhart hosted their annual open house event for early Christmas Shoppers. Designed to coincide with the Vinegar Hill shopping event in Mt. Pulaski, the businesses saw several shoppers who ventured beyond Mt. Pulaski to enjoy some time in Elkhart.

Bird Song, Country Bumpkin and Horsefeathers enjoyed a day with shoppers coming and going on a steady by not terribly rushed pace.

The first stop for some was Bird Song where that owner Jean Tweet offers a fine collection of mid-century antiques and collectibles, along with lots of books and miscellaneous items including vintage clothing, Christmas decorations, toys and much more.

As part of the immediate draw, Tween was happy to show off a fine example of mid-century modern technology in her skiing Santa Claus.

She offered up a demonstration, showing how that children (or adults) could pull Santa from the top of the chimney down the sloping roof of the house, then let him go and watch him slowly ski up the roof where he once again lands perched atop the chimney.

The next stop was Country Bumpkin owned by life-long Elkhart resident Gillette Ransom. The shop is filled to the bring with up-scale antiques from furniture to glassware, with a generous peppering of more modern home décor and collectible items.

While visiting Country Bumpkin, guests were invited to enjoy warm, sweet apple cider, and for those 21 and above, they could add a little extra “heat.”

Across the street, Horsefeathers, Litte Foxes and Wild Hare Café’ owned by peter and Andrea Niehaus were enjoying a good day. Guests were stopping right at the noon hour, enjoying a wonderful lunch at Wild Hare then doing some shopping among the many items offered at Horefeathers and Little Foxes.

Like the other stores in Elkhart, Horsefeathers has the ability to be a one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. From beautiful new handbags to vintage jewelry, antique glass and stoneware, children’s collectible dolls, artisan soaps and lotions, and numerous food products, shoppers had the option of checking off a lot of the names on their shopping list at this one location.

For those who opted not to have lunch, or even those who did, but wanted a little special ending to the trip, Peter had supplied warm apple cider and a variety of sweets including cookies and brownies.

While the weekend open house has passed, the shopping opportunities in Elkhart have not. There is plenty to see from these businesses along with the other businesses in the little community, so be sure to take that trip soon and see what wonderful items you can purchase for under the tree on Christmas morning.

[Nila Smith]