Arkadelphia will be the place to get a jump start on Christmas shopping Sunday afternoon. Several stores, most of which are located in downtown, will participate in the Annual Holiday Open House from noon-4 p.m.
Mary and Martha’s Florist and Gifts, located at 921 Main St., will offer special discounts on merchandise, including their gourmet chocolates and pecans. The shop also has a new line of Christmas ornaments and other decorations, said David Goodman, owner of the store.
Monogram It!, located at 610 Main St., will offer all types of clothing, including hoodies, T-shirts and ball caps, as well as accessories like hair bows, keychains, purses and blankets. Also, any and all baby items will be available. Sports items are also available, and every item in the store can be personalized with a monogram.
At Diamond Designs, located at 507 Seventh St., they will be selling personalized Tiffany style necklaces, Diamond Dust earrings, Reflections bracelets with lots of charms, key chains and black-and-white diamond fashion rings.
Knit Unto Others, at 323 Main St., offers unique gift and craft items, such as Knitter Critters — stuffed animals handmade in Kenya. The store will be selling nativity sets, ornaments and gift baskets, as well as knitting items like yarns and needlework accessories for those interested in creating handmade gifts.
Stone Turtle Florist and Gifts, at 902 Clinton St., will offer a free gift to the first 50 customers who walk through the door, said owner Stephanie Collie. There will be a 50 percent discount on several items throughout the store, and refreshments will be served. Gift items such as Aromatique and Lampe Berger will be available, and Collie said gifts will be available for under $20. Door prizes will be given.
Kelzek Fine Jewelry and Gifts, located at 608 Main St., will offer 20 percent off Christmas decor and giftware and jewelry boxes, and 50 percent off sterling silver jewelry. Refreshments will also be available, said owner Kelli Lancaster.
Shoppers will be able to decorate their own glass, wood or ceramic Christmas ornaments at SmithZonian Art Center at 612 Main St., where prices on the ornaments will range from $5-7. Made to Please special order items are marked down 15 percent for the open house event.
Covenant Books, located at 2503 Pine Street Village Suite 3, offers a wide selection of Christian-themed items, including gifts and decorations. Covenant offers music, books and games for adults and children, as well as stuffed animals and other gift items. The business also has gift certificates available for any item in the store.
Shoppers can find hair products, jewelry, purses, children’s apparel and accessories, as well as massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, cuts, colors and extensions at Just Teasing Hair Salon at the intersection of Sixth and Pine streets. Gift cards are also available for the store.
Special this year to the Open House event is that the Arkadelphia Area Chamber of Commerce and participating merchants have teamed up to ask local musicians to play their instruments on downtown streets to give the area an artsy atmosphere. Shoppers are encouraged to support the artists. Anyone interested in performing a small set downtown may do so.