LIMA — Despite rainy weather many people were out in the Lima area getting some early holiday shopping in.
Downtown Lima Inc. was promoting a Downtown Lima Shopping Weekend on Friday and Saturday.
Eight local business were staying open extra hours to give people a chance to check out the preholiday bargains.
Shoppers could pick up a passport, get it stamped and be in the running to win a $25 gift card from each store.
The idea is to get people downtown and excited about shopping for gifts.
“Yes, and it’s been very difficult with all of this rain, but yes that’s what our goal was,” said Elizabeth Leis, co owner of Nitza’s.
“Last night was excellent, today it’s been a little soggy,” Leis said Saturday with a chuckle.
In many cases, customers were looking at things to make up their wish list.
“We’ve had a kind of a rush on women picking out things for their husbands to then come in and purchase for them. A lot of times we know their wives or their special person they’re buying for so we direct them where we think is best,” she added.
Down the street at Kelly’s Boutique shoppers were checking out the variety of clothing and jewelry in the store.
“It’s awesome. We are so thankful that we can just do this because a lot of people don’t know where we are and are coming to us because of the this so it’s very, very important. We’ve seen so many new faces, so many new people from Lima and people even out of town are coming to see us for this passport and for this event,” said Lindsay Wafzig, manager of Kelly’s Boutique.
People were also making their way to the Allen County Fairgrounds for the Country Collection Christmas Boutique Craft Show.
It’s the 32nd year for the show and included 280 vendors selling anything from Christmas decorations to yard art.
“We make original wood toys, tractors and wagons anything kids can play with and they’re all original ideas,” said Al Reinhart, a vendor from Tiffin.
He’s been coming to the craft show for the past 25 years.
“Sales have been good in spite of the rain,” he said.
Julie Hall, promoter of the event was also excited for the crowds.
“I’m just real pleased with the turnout. This is a good show and every year it just keeps going,” she said.
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