Greensburg Holiday Markets offer added shop-local opportunities

Shoppers looking for locally sourced, one-of-a-kind and last-minute gifts will have two opportunities to find those items during Greensburg Holiday Markets on Nov. 29 and Dec. 20.

Organized by the Downtown Greensburg Project, the events will feature some regular vendors from the Greensburg Night Market, another DGP offering, along with a slate of new vendors.

“Some of our regular vendors obviously can’t participate, because it’s out of season for them, but a lot of them were very interested,” said DGP founder Jessica Hickey. “So we’re adding some new vendors to keep things fresh.”

Market hours will be noon-4 p.m. on both days, at the night market’s regular site along South Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Greensburg.

About 40 vendors will be present, selling food, wine and liquors, spa and personal care products and artisan wares, along with holiday decor and gifts.

“A lot of our regular vendors have products that are great for gifts,” Hickey said. “Some of the liquor vendors sell the mini liquor bottles that make great stocking stuffers.”

The December holiday market coincides with the 52nd annual Holiday Open House and Customer Appreciation Day hosted by downtown Greensburg businesses.

“We considered doing the Holiday Markets on Thursday like usual, but after speaking with some of the shops and thinking about the weather, Sunday was the best option,” Hickey said. “This will really give shoppers a bunch of wonderful options between the shops and the market to pick up some last-minute Christmas gifts.”

While the market will close at 4 p.m., stores will stay open until 5, said Kevin Miscik, owner of Lapels A Fine Men’s Clothier on South Pennsylvania Avenue.

Most merchants will have special seasonal offers, he added, although one thing will be missing from previous years.

Shoppers won’t find complimentary holiday appetizers, sweets and drinks in stores this time around.

“Normally, I’d have catered hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, but because of covid, none of us can do that,” Miscik said. “But out of this, one positive I’m hearing is that people definitely want to support the local businesses, and the night market has been pretty good for the town for bringing people in.

“The indication I’m getting from my customers is that, for local businesses versus the big-box stores, they’re interested in keeping the local mom-and-pop stores going.”

A list of holiday market vendors and more information is available at downtowngreensburgpa.us.