Thursday Is Last Chance For Festive Shopping Event In Annapolis

Annapolis MD

16 December, 2020

11:13 PM

Description

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Thursday is the last chance to support Downtown Annapolis businesses during Midnight Madness, a recurring holiday shopping event. This final festivity is called the Eleventh Hour Shopping night, as stores will stay open until 11 p.m. Erik Evans, executive director of the Downtown Annapolis Partnership, encouraged locals to come support small businesses. He said sales are down because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. A strong night could help struggling shop owners, however. "Truth is if you are not selling food, toilet paper, or home improvement, sales are probably down in retail stores," Evans said in a press release. "Retail stores depend on the holidays for their survival." The 90 downtown retailers offer unique gifts that chains cannot match, Evans noted. With 19 new businesses this year, shoppers can find art, home decor, jewelry, clothing and more. The experience is completed with plenty of holiday decorations including: Three Christmas treesTwo light canopiesA menorahSnowflake alleyLighted treesTraditional garlandWreathsHoliday storefront windows Stores will be open at 25 percent capacity, following Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman's latest order. Restaurants may open at a quarter capacity indoors and expand their seating outside. Customers can also buy alcoholic drinks to go. Evans reminded residents how important it is to support small businesses. Shopping local keeps jobs and tax dollars local, he said. To encourage turnout, parking will be free at the Hillman, Knighton, Gotts Court and Calvert Street garages. A directory of stores to support is available at DowntownAnnapolisPartnership.org. Some retailers have curbside pickup, shopping by appointment and evening hours, Evans added. "The downtown Annapolis businesses are really appreciative of all the locals that have continued to shop downtown in-person and online despite the many challenges they may also be facing due to COVID," Evans said. Shoppers must wear masks and maintain distancing. To catch up on the coronavirus trends in Anne Arundel County, read Patch's latest update. Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Annapolis newsletters and real-time email alerts. RELATED: With 19 New Businesses Downtown, Annapolis Leaders Say Shop LocalAnnapolis Invention, Business Creativity Help Shops Stay OpenDowntown Annapolis Transformed Into Christmas TownAnnapolis Still Has Christmas Tree, But Pandemic Changes Lighting Have a story idea? Please contact me at [email protected] with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.