Christmas open house brings visitors, shoppers to downtown Cape Girardeau

Shiny black horses with even shinier silver bells played a holiday song all their own Friday night jingling and clip-clopping down Main Street during the Old Town Cape Downtown Christmas Open House.

Carriage rides, strolling carolers and twinkling Christmas lights added to the holiday atmosphere.

Customers crowded the sidewalks as they made their way in and out of stores that stayed open late.

"We're just out visiting and taking it all in," said Bob Etherton of Cape Girardeau. "It takes me back in time to an old-fashioned Christmas."

By 7 p.m., more than 500 people had picked up registration packets for a chance to win a $1,500 downtown shopping spree, said Toni Eftink, project coordinator for Old Town Cape.

Mark and Lana Cook belted out classic Christmas carols as they walked among the crowd of shoppers.

"People here are definitely in the spirit," Mark Cook said. "They would join in and sing right along with us."

This was their first year to sing during the open house, although they've caroled before.

This year's open house drew as large a crowd as last year, maybe larger, said Marla Mills, executive director of Old Town Cape.

Sherry Yaeger, owner of Renaissance at the corner of Broadway and Main Street, said this is her store's ninth year to take part in the event.

"Everybody comes in from everywhere," she said. "We see many people at this time of year we don't see all year until now."

Several new businesses participated this year including Somewhere in Time Antiques, Top of the Line Consign and Social's Cafe & Catering. Other merchants who have participated in the past and were part of the event again this year were Annie Em's Antiques & Gifts, Brown's Shoe Fit Co., Buckner Brewing Co., Glitz, Hutson's Fine Furniture, Jayson Jewelers, Kids Bazaar, Lang Jewelry & Fine Gifts, Pastimes Antiques, Renaissance and Zickfield's Jewelers & Gifts.

The winner of the $1,500 shopping spree, which includes gift certificates to each of the participating downtown stores, will be announced Tuesday.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

Main and Spanish streets, Cape Girardeau, MO