By Carrie Moritz, Gazette
Next week Saturday, December 10, Garretson will celebrate its annual Hometown Christmas event. During this time, the Garretson Commercial Club members show their appreciation for the town's customers and clients, as well as enticing everyone to shop small businesses for the upcoming holiday.
Maddie Shepherd on Fundera by Nerdwallet pointed out that, "Small businesses generate $68 of local economic return for every $100 spent with them, over $9.3 billion would be directly returned to our economy if every US family spent just $10 a month at a local business, and small businesses donate 250% more than large businesses to community causes."
Garretson as a community has always been proud of its local businesses, and has had a strong showing over its history. While everyone reminisces about the businesses that have come and gone, the community still boasts of a locally-owned grocery store, two convenience store/gas stations, four restaurants, a chiropractor, a bank, and a local post office, just to name a few.
"We could boast all day long about our town's businesses," said Garretson Commercial Club president Garrick Moritz. "But honestly, they wouldn't exist if it wasn't for the support our local community gives them."
He continued, pointing out that his business, the Garretson Gazette, has the most community participation of any newspaper he has ever worked at, including his hometown newspaper, where he worked with his father for nearly twenty years.
"I know other business owners in Garretson would say the same," Moritz said.
To celebrate the participation, the Garretson Commercial Club puts on the annual Hometown Christmas event with a Parade of Lights on Main Street at 6:30 p.m., Community Appreciation Meal from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Legion, and Kids Crafts from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Legion.
Local businesses get in on the fun, too. The Garretson Food Center runs a "Shop Garretson First" drawing until December 10, which sees local shoppers win weekly cash prizes for spending money with Commercial Club member businesses.
The Treasure Chest and Nordstrom's Automotive have gotten together this year to raise funds for the Garretson Food Pantry. Visitors to The Treasure Chest will get a chance until 5:00 p.m. on December 10 to guess the weight on a bag of money donated by Art and Shannon Nordstrom.
"The money came from damaged vehicles that were brought to the Nordstrom's lot and dismantled," said Treasure Chest proprietor Connie Johnson. The "found cash" will be given to the person who guesses the right weight.
"Art did say 'no pre-lifting' though," said Johnson, "and that it might contain collectible coins and paper money."
All guesses will be $1 each, with the proceeds going directly to the Garretson Food Pantry. The Treasure Chest is open Thursdays 12-5, Fridays 10-5, and Saturdays 10-4. On December 10, they will be open 10-5 with other sales as well. All profits from this mission store directly benefit local needs and South Dakota tribal populations.
Palisades Chiropractic will run "Treatment for Toys" on December 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Anyone who brings a new, un-used toy worth $15 or more will receive a free adjustment. This popular event fills up quickly, so Dr. Nick Schotzko recommends bringing the toy by sooner rather than later that day.
Other fun events include a Nativity Collection and Christmas Tree Display tour at the home of Kris Rogen. Rogen has been collecting nativity sets for several years, and has well over 700 sets from all over the world on display in her house. The tour will be open between 1:00-4:30 p.m. on December 10 at 48194 252nd Street, which is at the corner of 252nd and Eros Road.
The Garretson Fire Department and the Kringen family will be offering snowy rides from the firehouse from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Kids ages 0-97 enjoy riding the old-fashioned fire truck and horse-drawn wagon around town.
Kids will also enjoy hot cider and the train room at the Garretson Museum, which will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., and making kids crafts at the American Legion dugout from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
The Commercial Club will also be hosting its Community Appreciation Meal, a Vendor Fair, and a Silent Auction at the Legion dugout. All three events begin at 9:00 a.m. At 1:00 p.m., the winners of the E-bike Raffle, the final weekly "Shop First" drawing, and the Silent Auction will all be announced.
"The Silent Auction is a new event this year," said co-organizer Luke Dreckman. "We've got around 25 auction items valuing about $2,500. I believe we have a variety of items that will appeal to a variety of ages – including children."
He pointed out a few of the submissions, such as the steak & shrimp dinner package donated by The Combine.
"It'll be six steak and shrimp dinners with a $150 bar tab, which is a $250 value," he said. Other submissions include a $360-value membership package from The Exercise Place and a Couples Getaway package that will include a one-night stay at The Hotel on Phillips, dinner at Crave, tour of Woodgrain Brewery, and ax-throwing. Proceeds from the auction will go towards downtown improvements.
The Vendor Fair is also a popular stop, with ten vendors selling items like Tastefully Simple, Thirty-One, Mary Kay, and Pampered Chef, and unique craft items such as quilts, grocery bag holders, fudge, and Christmas decor.
Everything will be capped off with the 4th annual Parade of Lights, which is held on Main Street at 6:30 p.m. The event has been popular each year with both attendees and participants. Anyone is welcome to join the parade, with the only requirement being a decorated vehicle or float of some kind.
Anyone who prefers to pre-register can do so at https://visitgarretsonsd.com/hometown-christmas, otherwise entrants can just show up around 6:00 p.m., according to organizer John Brinkman.
Plan to enjoy the events and shopping opportunities offered in Garretson on December 10, and continue to shop local for this holiday season.
The Garretson Commercial Club thanks you for your support!
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