Thursday Is Last Chance For Festive Shopping Event In Annapolis

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.

Patch recently partnered with several local organizations to bring you their latest news. This week's guest contribution comes from the Downtown Annapolis Partnership. Here's what Executive Director Erik Evans wrote about supporting small businesses:

"'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 trees
• Two light canopies
• A menorah
• Snowflake alley
• Lighted trees
• Traditional garland
• Wreaths
• Holiday 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.

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RELATED:

• With 19 New Businesses Downtown, Annapolis Leaders Say Shop Local
• Annapolis Invention, Business Creativity Help Shops Stay Open
• Downtown Annapolis Transformed Into Christmas Town
• Annapolis Still Has Christmas Tree, But Pandemic Changes Lighting

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