Friday, December 7, 2012

Share the Spirit event this weekend

Holiday, community spirit drive local shopping

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By KATHERINE WUTZ
Express Staff Writer

A customer shops at Silver Creek Outfitters in Ketchum, one of numerous stores and restaurants participating in the Share the Spirit event this weekend. Photo by Willy Cook

This weekend marks the Wood River Valley’s latest iteration of Share the Spirit, an event designed to encourage residents to do their Christmas shopping with local small businesses.

Starting Friday, Dec. 7, and running through Sunday, Dec. 9, nearly 50 local businesses will donate a percentage of their profits to local nonprofit organizations.

Forty-six businesses throughout the Wood River Valley will participate, with proceeds going to 25 nonprofit organizations.

The event was started by Silver Creek Outfitters owner Terry Ring in 2006. Ring said in an interview late last month that at the time, the goal was less to promote shopping at local businesses and more to celebrate nonprofit organizations in the valley.

However, the event faded away as the economy faltered. Now, Wood River Economic Partnership Director Doug Brown andother valley residents have resurrected the event with a focus on shopping locally.

Brown said he actually has had to put together a waiting list of nonprofits who wanted to be involved but who couldn’t be matched with a local business this year.

“We had to stop, it was just getting too late,” he said. “But now we have a list for next year.”
Participating stores will have up posters with the Share the Spirit reindeer logo in their store windows and will sport red and white balloons outside.

Brown called the event’s participation rate “outstanding.”

“It’s so surprising how people just gravitated to this event,” he said. “It’s just really gratifying. It’s the first positive feeling we’ve had from retailers in some time, and it’s a really good feeling. ‘Spirit’ is the right word.”

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Event supporters

The following stores are participating and donating part of their proceeds to local nonprofit organizations this weekend: Silver Creek Outfitters, Chapter One Bookstore, Lotus, NourishMe, Holli Jewelers, Ketchum Bed and Bath, The Picket Fence, Sway Boutique, Bellissimo, Bavarian Soul, The Under Takers, PK’s Ski and Snow Sports, Sun Valley retailers (The Brass Ranch, Pete Lane’s, resort gift shops), Ketchum Flower Co., Panache, Burnsies, Sister, Farasha, Sports Connection, Sturtevants, The Elephant’s Perch, Willow Papery, Elle Rose, Maison et Cadeaux, Ketchum Kitchens, Open Room, Gail Severn Gallery, Gilman Contemporary, Blues Jean Bar, The Toy Store, Iconoclast Books, Gallery DeNovo, Modern Mercantile, Architectural Resources, Barry Peterson Jewelers, Vault, Sheepskin Coat Factory, Sun Valley Shutters and Shades, Fox Creek Interiors, Ozzies Shoes, T’s and Temptations, My House Furnishings, Lost River Outfitters, Gail Severn Gallery, Tater Tots Kids, Cornerstone Bar and Grill and The Sawtooth Club.

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Kate Wutz: kwutz@mtexpress.com

 

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