News release from the Downtown Improvement District:
Holly Trolley Shopping Returns on Small Business Saturday
November 29th, 2014, 11am-5pm(November 14, 2014) – The Downtown Improvement District is excited to announce the return of Holly Trolley Shopping on Saturday, November 29 from 11am-5pm!
This event takes place on a special day each year during HolidayFest in collaboration with Small Business Saturday promoting patrons across the country to shop local. It also falls on the Last Saturday of the month where there are many ways to Experience Art and Discover Downtown all day long.
There will be nearly 50 unique shops, galleries and attractions participating in Downtown Fort Wayne and along the Wells Street Corridor. With returning favorites like Creative Women of the World and Emiley’s Haute Cottage and newbies like Saving Grace Vintage and Your Virgin Hair Boutique you’re sure to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Most of the businesses along the trolley route will be offering special holiday items, one-day only discounts or refreshments giving shoppers even more incentive to support our locally-owned retailers and specialty gift shops.
In addition to dozens of shops selling items that are unique to Fort Wayne, we are excited to welcome the Indiana Artisan Holiday Marketplace at the Grand Wayne Center! From hand-smithed metal and leather jewelry to organic jams and watercolors this amazing stop will feature work by nearly 100 artists and food artisans, many of them recognized as the best in Indiana. Visitors will not only be invited to shop, but also to sample wines, syrups, candies, chocolates, and more all made right here in Indiana!
Holly Trolley makes shopping local easier than ever with free trolley rides throughout Downtown. With so many shops to choose from there will be two trolley routes offered. Hop on the Green Line to experience the eclectic and charming shops of the Wells Corridor or ride the Red Line to shop corner to corner in Downtown Fort Wayne! The routes will overlap at Utopian Coffee on Pearl Street and the Allen County Public Library on Wayne Street allowing shoppers to switch routes with ease. Trollies will stop at each location every 25-30 minutes allowing shoppers plenty of time browse each shop or enjoy a pint or meal with our sponsor JK O’Donnell’s!
As a special treat to those out to shop early the first 100 riders will receive a keepsake holiday tote! To make Holly Trolley Shopping your new HolidayFest tradition simply park in a garage or lot near your favorite participating shop and wait at a trolley stop sign! Shopping guides with maps will be on the trolleys for your convenience while you shop or visit HolidayFestDowntown.com for a complete list of the retailers participating in this year’s Holly Trolley Shopping event as well as a listing of the great holiday activities happening all season long!