Event lasts until 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday

MOSES LAKE - Businesses in downtown Moses Lake are extending their hours today and Saturday for LakeTown Landing's 10th Annual Holiday Open House.

Some downtown shops collaborate and stay open until 7 p.m., said Marianne Bondi, executive director of the Moses Lake Business Association.

So people who want stores to offer longer hours need to show their support, she explained.

The Moses Lake Museum and Art Center is having an open house on Friday, as well as other businesses, she said.

Most of the stores will offer sales and goodies such as hot cocoa, she said.

"Most everyone's having a sale this week," she noted. "Quite of few of them are making specials for the holiday open house."

The last event of the weekend is a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which takes place at 5 p.m. Saturday at Sinkiuse Square, she said. There will also be free chili, entertainment and a movie provided.

"I just think it's going to be a really great event, a really fun event," she said. "It will be great to see everyone down there."

Bondi said she recently spoke to two store owners who said their sales increased from last November. One businesswoman said her sales were up by $1,500, Bondi said.

"It does tell us people are shopping locally," she noted.

When residents shop in town, the money stays in the local economy, Bondi said.

Another downtown draw is the variety of restaurants, from offerings such as sushi, Mexican and cafe type fare, she said.