Shop, get decorating ideas from downtown event

Home décor ideas, and presents and food...this is the stuff the Fort Scott holiday shopping event is made of.

The annual holiday open house is from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at participating retailers, most of which are located downtown.

The event started nine years ago by the Iron Star Antiques and Such store.

"Iron Star started doing their own open house nine years ago...then it morphed into other stores," Lindsay Madison, executive director of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce said.

Holiday music will be playing and stores will be lit up, adding to the festivity of the event.

"There will be a lot of refreshments, it's a really fun night," Madison said.

Attendees can get ideas for holiday decorations from the different retailers, she said, and have a chance to win $50 in Chamber Bucks, which can be spent at the stores.

In addition, there will be gift-giving and stocking stuffer ideas with unique finds at each store.

New this year, Papa Don's, downtown, will be having vendors inside the restaurant selling home-based retailers.

Inside Papa Don's will be five home-based companies.

"Alex Horttor, from Blue Mound has bags, and they put initials or names on the bags," Brita Rygmyr, Papa Don's owner, said. "Tina Schilling is selling Gold Canyon Candles. Barbie McGee is selling homemade jewelry. Teresa Starr from Chanute is selling Celebrating Homes, home décor items. Myself and Marita Meech will be selling Stay Natural, dietary supplements and vitamins, to promote better health. We also have animal supplements."

Participating downtown retailers for the shopping open house are Country Cupboard, Courtland Aveda Spa, J & W Sports Shop, Life + Style, Lowell Milken Center, Main Street Gallery & Gifts, Mayco Ace Hardware, Old Fort Antiques & Collectibles, Radio Shack, Redneck Retail Shop, Ruddick's Furniture, Sunshine Boutique, Trader Dave's, Treasure Hunt Flea Market and the Vintage Junk Trunk.

Other locations in town include Bartlesmeyer Jewelry, Everything Pets, Heidricks True Value & Gift Corner, Sekan's Occasion Shop and the Shirt Shack.

For more information contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 or visit fortscott.com.