Village of Barrington public works crews have been out and about installing the community’s seasonal decor as merchants and restaurant owners prepare for the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Now is that time when support from area patrons can make or break the year for our community’s merchants. So we caught up with a number of local business owners in recent weeks to find out what they have in store for the holidays and how much it means when we all make a conscious effort to shop local and shop Barrington.
The Village of Barrington has a number of holiday events planned in the coming weeks to support local shops and restaurants, starting with their annual Merchant Wine Walk from 2 to 6 p.m on Saturday, November 21st. For the very first time, the new shops and restaurants at Barrington Village Center will take part as visitors sip, shop and stroll their way through town to kick off the holidays in Barrington. Thirty shops and restaurants are participating this year and each stop along the walk will feature a wine tasting, small treats and unique gifts at the following locations:
Village Center
Anderson’s Candy Shop * Allegro Dance Boutique * Angelina * Barrington Flower Shop * Bravura Home & Gift Shop * Cooper’s * Grassroots * Notice * Roots: Reclaimed, Repurposed, Resale * The Annex * Vin Chicago
Barrington Commons
Carol & Company * Fleur de Lis Salon * Jennie and Vera’s Sweets & Savories
Lageschulte Street
Norton’s U.S.A. * The English Daisy
Ice House Mall
Barrington Cultural Arts Center * Savvy Spirit * Tommy Terri Boutique & Gifts * Tootsie’s Shoes * Acacia Organics * Paris Market Antiques * Sanctuary Salon
Customers can begin the Wine Walk at any participating business by picking up a location map for the tastings. The wines for the Merchant Wine Walk are being provided by Heinen’s Grocery, McGonigal’s Pub, The Annex, Grassroots, Ciao Baby, Chessie’s, Cooper’s, Garfield’s Beverage Warehouse, Vin Chicago and Vintage Wine & Spirits
Also coming up is the Village of Barrington’s big day-long “Snow Much Fun“event, ending with Santa’s arrival and the tree lighting on Saturday, December 5th. Shops will be hosting specials and fun events for families as Santa rides the Holiday Trolley with families to visit stops all over town. The trolley will run in a continuous loop all day from 10:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on December 5th so you can park in one place and ride to all events! St. Nick will be at Barrington Village Center at 10:30 a.m., at the Ice House Mall at 10:45, the Shops on Lageschulte at 11 a.m., the Foundry at 11:15 a.m. and, of course, he’ll ride into downtown Barrington on his firetruck for the tree lighting at 5 p.m.
Here’s a closer look at the events planned around town for December 5th.
Candy Cane Festival – Foundry Shopping Center (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Petting Zoo * Photos with Santa * See gingerbread houses at Ambrosia * Barrington fire truck
Winter Wonderland – Ice House Mall ( 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Mister & Mrs. Clause * Reading of The Nutcracker * Midwest Dance Collective Performance
Gingerbread Lane – The Shops on Lageschulte (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Photos with sled dogs * Giant gingerbread people
Snow Much Fun Annual Tree Lighting – Village Center on South Cook Street (1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.)
Carriage rides * Carolers * Free hot chocolate & cookies * SANTA VISITS from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
This year, the Holiday Trolley will return on December 12th for additional festive shopping! For more information about the Village of Barrington’s events throughout the holiday season and beyond, visit EnjoyBarrington.com.
And to be inspired to shop local and support our local merchants this holiday season, listen to what they have to say about how much we mean to the health of their businesses.
