Downtown Urbana to showcase businesses during annual ‘Pumpkin Walk’

Credit: Bill Lackey

Credit: Bill Lackey

Several downtown Urbana merchants are participating in a “Pumpkin Walk” this week to encourage people to shop local.

“We have an active downtown merchant’s group and the goal was to get people into the stores," Mary Manoloff, the secretary of the Downtown Urbana Merchants Group said.

The Pumpkin Walk, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday is a “fall gift giveaway” where individuals can buy a $20 ticket to receive a shopping passport. The shopping passport gives individuals a “VIP status” when visiting the 16 participating shops, Manoloff said. At each shop, they will receive a free fall-themed gift up to $5 in value.

Free gifts could include food items, home decor, collectables or personal accessories, Manoloff added.

This is the third year the Downtown Urbana Merchants Group has held the Pumpkin Walk.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Manoloff said individuals will not turn in their stamped passport for a grand prize to limit the possible spread of COVID-19.

“We want to keep going what we had going," Manoloff said. "We decided to spread it out a little bit, keeping in mind social distancing and keeping it simple as far as what everybody has to do.”

Participating downtown businesses include Cafe Paradiso, Carmazzi’s, Downtown Divas, Downtown Nutrition, Ethel’s Flowers & Gifts, Eve’s Place, Guild Galleries, Kaleidoscope, Let’s Eat Cake, Lily’s Garden, One Eleven, Oxner’s General Store, Peace, Love & Candles, The Boston, The Vintage Traveler and Unique Boutiques.

Tickets are available in advance at Guild Galleries, Let’s Eat Cake, Lily’s Garden and Oxner’s General Store. Tickets will be $25 if purchased on one of the three shopping days.

“We are grateful for every customer," Manoloff said. "We know we have a good thing. We want to sustain, keep interest and livability up for our merchants and also our town.”

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