Sip and Shop helps Port Clinton step into the holiday season
PORT CLINTON - A steady stream of shoppers flowed into Mary’s Blossom Shoppe during the 7th Annual Port Clinton Sip and Shop on Saturday. There were, owner Mary Snyder said, “new people, old customers, men and women.”
“It’s been a really awesome day. People are just wonderful and kind,” Snyder said.
Down the street at Moonwyck’s, Port Clinton native and author Caleb Thusat was promoting his comic books, graphic novels and children’s books. Elsewhere in the store, four ladies were shopping for candles and other products amidst the crowd. Each year, Jessica Dete, Joann Dete, Jenevieve Rusin and Jenni Rusin travel from their homes in the Cleveland suburb of Parma to attend Sip and Shop.
“We love small towns, and Port Clinton has lots of small-town atmosphere,” Joann said.
The small-town feels were especially strong during Sip and Shop, where friends gathered to drink, shop and take their first step into the holiday shopping season.
“We made coming to Sip and Shop a tradition,” Jessica said. “It makes us feel like we’re in a Hallmark movie.”
Port Clinton Sip and Shop was started seven years ago by local businesswomen hoping to attract shoppers to downtown during the off-season. The successful event was bigger than ever this year, thanks to organizer Kelly Rigoni, who owns Gully’s Lake Wear and Northern Exposure with her husband, Billy Rigoni.
“This year, Sip and Shop extended from Mr. Ed’s all the way uptown to the Port Clinton Plaza,” Kelly said. “It is working fabulously. Everyone is loving it. We’ve been super busy today.”
Kelly created event maps to help shoppers find all of the shops, and free shuttle service was provided by Swig Ohio Shuttles. Customers could earn raffle tickets by purchasing food, drinks and/or merchandise from participating Sip and Shop businesses. Raffle prizes included a gift card bundle and a gift basket filled with about $1,500 in merchandise from Port Clinton businesses.
“There’s plenty of fun to go around. Everyone is having a good time,” Kelly said. “It’s getting people moving. We’ve got a lot of people from out of town. All of the stores are doing great.”
Kelly’s Northern Exposure employees Mary Krejci and April Smith said the shop remained busy all day.
“Some people from Columbus and Ravenna stopped by yesterday, and they decided to stay overnight when they heard about Sip and Shop,” Smith said.
After dark, a large crowd gathered around the city’s Christmas tree, which was donated by Port Clinton residents Leo and Bailey Samaritoni, to watch Mayor Mike Snider light the tree. Down the street at The Brick House, crowds continually packed the restaurant or stopped by to pick up to-go drinks to carry throughout the Sip and Shop event.
“It’s been so successful today,” said Brick House bartender Brissa Rodriguez.
Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Sip and Shop an 'amazing' success for Port Clinton, visitors
