Park Slope will become a late night, winter wonderland next Thursday — complete with fake snow, free booze, and Christmas carolers — all to lure holiday shoppers into neighborhood stores.
The so-called “Snowflake Celebration” is the second phase of the “Buy in Brooklyn” Campaign (the first phase was that wacky, yellow umbrella-sharing program that launched in November and appears to be doing well so far).
On Thursday night, until about 10 pm, more than 110 Park Slope businesses will offer holiday sales, free wine and cheese, or even fake snow!
“There is a recognition now that neighborhood character is very dependent on the small businesses,” said Catherine Bohne, the owner of Community Bookstore on Seventh Avenue. Bohne is behind the “Buy in Brooklyn” Campaign, which is spearheading the event with the Park Slope Civic Council and the Park Slope Chamber of Commerce.
“Everywhere in the city and country, small businesses with character are being pushed out by big corporate monoliths,” added Bohne, who knows fully well the value of community, given that her store was on the verge of going out of business until a handful of customers rallied her back from the brink.
To convince customers of the charm of shopping local, Bohne will affix two snow machines to her awning, sending white flakes fluttering down in front of her store.
Further down Seventh Avenue, between 10th and 11th streets, 4PLAYBK owner Laura Kleinman will fete customers at her hip clothing store with free wine and cheese and a live DJ.
Closer to Flatbush Avenue, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music will use its Seventh Avenue stoop as a stage, featuring R&B choir renditions of Christmas carols.
“The whole point of the festival is to bring the community together, and we want to be a part of that,” said Lucy Walters, spokeswoman for the Conservatory.
Of course, the point is also to remind neighbors that without their charming local shops, Park Slope wouldn’t be much of a neighborhood.
“A lot of businesses are leaving the neighborhood by going online,” said Allen Brafman, Chamber of Commerce president and owner of Little Things Toy Store, which will offer discounts all night long.
“There are many stores in Park Slope that have a full range of products equal to what’s online,” said Brafman. “[And without these stores], Park Slope will become some kind of suburban bedroom community.
“I was in the store for 15 minutes the other day, and three longtime customers came in,” recalled Brafman. “One of them asked about an item in the store she remembered from when she was 9 years old. That kind of relationship can only exist in a community.”
For a list of all participating stores, visit buyinbrooklyn.com.
