Santa Claus is going to need a bigger bag.
Santa Claus is going to need a bigger bag.
The return of Stratford’s annual Christmas Trail officially kicked off the holiday shopping season this week and a record number of local shops have signed up to participate.
More than 30, actually, with a few more on the way.
“This is a very exciting launch for us as this is our largest Christmas Trail yet,” said April Murray, Destination Stratford’s brand manager. “In fact, since we launched on Tuesday, we’ve received a few requests from local businesses who want to jump on, so we are potentially looking at over 33 offerings.”
Retailers and the festive items they’re offering can be found on a map available online, but don’t forget to stop by Destination Stratford or Bradshaws, the downtown Stratford gift shop. That’s where you can purchase vouchers that can be exchanged for items at participating stores, including two in St. Marys and one in Shakespeare.
A pack of six vouchers is $35 plus HST. They’re good for a variety of Christmas-themed items, including locally made bath and body products, home décor, a variety of seasonal treats and even mulled wine.
The trail “has a nice balance” this year, Murray said. “The majority of the businesses on the trail are in the (downtown) core, but Shakespeare and St. Marys are wonderful communities … to explore as well. This just encourages those participating on the trail to go beyond Stratford and explore other retailers.”
Wendy Stanley, the owner of Poppin Kettle Corn on Downie Street, has always enjoyed having fun with seasonal flavours. Among her holiday offerings this year – perfect for your next Christmas movie marathon – are her Grinch mix, a combination of colorful cherry and green apple, and candy cane popcorn.
The latter is lightly sweetened with peppermint oil and actual crushed candy cane.
“The seasonal flavors do really well,” Stanley said Thursday. “My daughter and I are always thinking of different flavours, different options, but then again we have our staples, the ones that people come back for week after week.”
Poppin Kettle Corn began as a food truck in 2018. Stanley moved into her first brick-and-mortar shop in Norwich but made the jump to Stratford a few months ago.
A big fan of the city’s Chocolate Trail, Stanley said she jumped at the opportunity to put her shop on the Christmas Trail as well.
“It just gives me a great chance to engage with customers,” she said. “That was another nice thing about moving to Stratford. Stratford is a draw for people. Nothing feels better, makes me gush, when someone says, ‘I love your popcorn.’ That’s a good feeling.”
The Christmas Trail will last six weeks.
“I think the strong level of participation by local retailers this year is a true testament to the quality of the trail,” said Murray, adding that organizers expect a boost in numbers this year now that public-health restrictions have been lifted. “A lot of the businesses are starting to get in their holiday inventory and switch over to more holiday décor so it’s a really great time to continue to shop local.”