Greensburg merchants kick off holiday sales by unveiling window displays

Downtown Greensburg merchants rang the curtain up on holiday shopping Monday by unveiling storefront windows specially decorated for the season.

The event harkened back to window reveals that once were an eagerly awaited tradition for major department stores in Pittsburgh and other cities.

That tradition was revisited in Greensburg last year by Kevin Miscik, owner of Lapels A Fine Mens Clothier, who attracted a gathering of about 20 onlookers as he ripped away concealing paper to reveal his “Home for the Holiday”-themed display.

More than 1,400 additional people viewed the reveal through a livestream on Facebook, a platform Miscik planned to use again this year as 15 other downtown Greensburg merchants joined him in staggered unveilings of their holiday decorations.

This year’s theme for Miscik is an Old World Christmas.

“It was such a huge success last year,” he said. “I’m so happy that my fellow merchants joined in with me. It’s wonderful for our community.

“I think it’s very important to keep tradition and nostalgia in a downtown shopping district.”

Marion McFeely, owner of McFeely’s Gourmet Chocolate candy shop, turns to local decorator Pam Kennedy for the seasonal window displays at her business.

“This year, it’s a little more exciting with the unveiling,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun. I’m hoping it brings in people to help kick off the spirit of the season.”

Kennedy found a central element of the McFeely’s display when she spied a wire-framed train discounted at a local craft store last January.

“I saw this train, and I knew it had to be in the window,” Kennedy said. “Sometimes Santa comes by train.”

Mary Wilmes, owner of Penelope’s, a variety boutique, created a whimsical display featuring plush animals from her children’s section — owls, doves and penguins — and a 1920s sled on loan from a friend.

“A lot of us remember from our childhoods the unveiling of windows at Kaufmann’s and Horne’s in Pittsburgh,” she said. “People seem very excited by it. Anything that gives us a little warmth and love is a good thing.”

The window unveilings were coordinated in partnership with the Greensburg Community Development Corp. and the Downtown Greensburg Project.

Members of the the local Stage Right theater group were slated to carol through town during the event.

Several participating merchants remained open with special offers. McFeely’s offered free chocolate pretzels. Penelope’s discounted purchases and offered temporary tattoos, created by Kelly Kern of Hempfield.