Greensburg Holiday Market kicks off holiday shopping at small businesses

Booths filled with Christmas decorations lined South Pennsylvania Street in Greensburg on Sunday morning just hours before trick-or-treaters were scheduled to take to the streets.

The first Greensburg Holiday Market of the season kicked off on Halloween this year, attracting residents hoping to get a jump start on their holiday shopping.

“I want to shop local for the holiday seaso and I have a lot of birthdays coming up, so I just wanted to see small businesses and support locally,” said Kaitlyn Williams of Greensburg.

The 25-year-old said she already has begun Christmas shopping, citing possible shipping delays because of bottlenecks in the global supply chain. With impacts related to factory closures because of covid-19, a lack of containers to ship items in, backups at ports and warehouses and more, people are urged to purchase gifts early this year.

Other shoppers, such as Bernadette Johnson, 62, of Greensburg, typically attends the markets as a way to support local businesses.

“I enjoy them,” Johnson said. “It’s nice, and it’s from people that are around this area.”

More than a dozen businesses set up tents at the Greensburg Holiday Market, some selling Christmas-themed items. The holiday market, hosted by the Downtown Greensburg Project, is held monthly through the Christmas season.

Mandi Reese, owner of Clearly Chunky, said she initially was worried about the number of people that would show up to the event on Halloween, “but since they’re organized once per month up to the holiday season, I think it will really bring out customers to really take a look and get an early grab on Christmas gifts with a good variety for friends and family.”

The store, which sells chunky blankets, also offers holiday-themed pillows.

Maria Scott, owner of Maria Noel Design Co., a stationery store, said retail stores have been selling Christmas items for most of October.

“You see everyone putting up their tree with their Halloween decorations. So, honestly, I think it’s very appropriate to already start your holiday shopping with Halloween,” Scott said. “Honestly, at the stores it’s already started, so it’s definitely not premature.”

Similarly, Bethany Faulk’s tent featured signs with Christmas-related sayings. Faulk, sporting an antler headband, owns Farmhouse Homemade.

“I think every year we tend to get Christmas stuff earlier and earlier, and I don’t think there’s a bad time to get Christmas stuff,” Faulk said. “I thought, ‘Throw them in there, and everyone’s going to be ready to transition from Halloween into Christmas pretty soon.’ ”

Greensburg Holiday Market events are scheduled for Nov. 21 and Dec. 19.