Chamber announces window contest winners
Bonner County Daily Bee | UPDATED 6 years, 12 months AGO
(Courtesy photo) Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce staff present first prize to La Chic Boutique in the inaugural Hometown Windows to Christmas Decoration Competition. Pictured, from left, are Ricci Witte, Kate McAlister, Justine Murray, and Kristin Carlson.
SANDPOINT — If you were downtown Sandpoint shopping, eating, or drinking this holiday season (who wasn’t?), you were sure to notice the explosion of holiday cheer emanating from the businesses. The excitement and smiles were contagious. People were happy to be out and about, and the businesses were thrilled to welcome you.
“Every store I went in to, I was greeted with a smile and a “Merry Christmas,”’ said consumer Randy Voyles, visiting his daughter’s family from North Carolina for the holidays. “Everyone was so friendly.”
It was during a brainstorming session at the Sandpoint Shopping District meeting in early November when business owners and the chamber staff came up with the idea to hold a window decorating competition downtown.
“The idea was to get people in to downtown and in the holiday spirit”, said Kristin Carlson, communications specialist at the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce. “We are always looking for new ways to promote the businesses. Our vision was for people to have a fun activity to do with their families while they were shopping. With a budget of $0, we set up a few parameters for the competition, relied on social media to get the word out, and the businesses just ran with it!”
There were 15 participants this year and with the generosity of local media outlets and local businesses there were some great prizes! With first-place earning an ad in The Reader worth $250, and second-place an ad in The Daily Bee worth $125, the prizes were well worth the effort for these small businesses. Entry was free and open to anyone.
A panel of 10 anonymous judges from the community, male and female, ranging from age 9-70 years, scored each window on different categories such as “originality” and “use of color.” The votes were tallied to determine first, second and third place. The exceedingly popular People’s Choice prize was voted on by the community. Anyone could vote, as many times as they wanted, for their favorite. 729 ballots were counted for the People’s Choice vote!
The winners were: La Chic Boutique, first place; Outdoor Experience, second place; I Saw Something Shiny, third place; and Carousel Emporium, People’s Choice Award.
“We have had some great feedback on the competition and already have plans to make some changes and improve the process for next year. Our vision is to have every business participate in the coming years”, said Carlson.
Chamber officials thanked The Reader, The Daily Bee, Pend D’Oreille Winery, Trinity at City Beach, Lake Pend Oreille Cruises, and the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce for providing the prizes.