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small town Feeling at small business saturday

Samantha golden

sraegolden@gmail.com

Small Business Saturday brought big crowds to Old Town Clovis this year, with some shops saying that business was better than in previous years. “It was our biggest small business Saturday in thirty-six years,” said Marty Watt, owner of 4th Street Antiques Newer businesses got a taste of what “The Clovis Way of Life” is all about. Eye Candy employee Samantha Dewall said, “It was our first year doing Small Business Saturday and the support has been amazing.” She wasn’t just talking about the support from patrons. Small businesses in Old Town encourage each other and recommend customers to their stores.

“We pay it forward. When we started the business, everyone was so supportive and friendly and welcoming and so we pay it forward when the next business opens,” said Liz Bermudez at The Collective 103. Jen Bell, one of the artisans at The Foundry Cooperative, expressed similar sentiments about the growing support of Old Town Clovis businesses. “It makes you want to be a part of what goes on down here, and to see more and more shops popping up, because there’s life going on here,” Bell said. Shoppers know that the best part about small businesses is the selection.

Tom Frost at Frost Oak Creek Creations said, “They know down in Old Town it’s unique, they come here and find products they won’t see anywhere else in the valley.” Watts also says that she tries to visit the other shops and remember what they have, so she can send customers over. Watts added, “If they go away from Old Town happy, then everyone’s happy.” The holiday shopping weekend was helped by the variety of things to do in Old town Clovis.

Watts said that people could have their breakfast, lunch, and dinner all in one area– and some even stayed in a hotel to be within walking distance of the weekend’s shopping. All businesses in Old Town Clovis expect a busy holiday season. As an added incentive for fun and charm, carriage rides will be available every weekend in December.

Photo by Clovis Roundup

Photo taken next to sassano’s mens wear looking south towards fifth and Pollasky in old town clovis.

“It’s a small-town Hallmark Movie kind of moment,” Watts added, “People like that they can walk around, maybe just to get a cup of coffee and window shop.”

clovis senior activity center hosts monumental thanksgiving dinner

Photo by Ron Sundquist, Clovis Roundup miss fresno with other volunteers.

CloviSRounduPStAFF

@ClovisRoundup

Thursday, November 24th, The Clovis Senior Activity Center hosted their annual free Thanksgiving Day luncheon. Each year since 1982 the Senior Center has provided free Thanksgiving meals, not only seniors, but to anyone of any age wanting a hot holiday meal. To date, the annual event has provided approximately 12,300 hot meals to those who are in need.

This year, however, was of special significance not only due to it being the last year to be hosted in the current Senior Center building but also it being the final year Lenny “Pappy” Papulias will be volunteering. Every Thanksgiving, for 40 years, Papulias has volunteered to help cook the turkeys along with side dishes. Pappy has been the leader of other kitchen volunteers who work the day prior, and overnight, to create the meals for the Clovis holiday tradition. In addition to Papulias each year the community Thanksgiving meal is made possible by the Clovis Salvation Army, the Clovis Senior Activity Center along with other local volunteers and businesses from the Clovis area. Their donations of funds, food, and time make this event possible. Moniqua Randolph, Administrative Assistant for the Clovis Senior Activity Center, along with Amy Hance and Shonna Halterman from the City of Clovis were all on hand to assist with the community Thanksgiving meal. All involved expressed their excitement about the upcoming transition to the new Senior Activity Center.

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As the choir sang selections such as “A Holly Jolly Christmas”, and “Silent Night”, a few true believers in the Christian holiday began to sing along as the voices of those surrounding filled them with the cheer and spirit of the holiday season. Councilman Drew Bessinger then initiated the lighting of the Christmas Tree, a tall forty to fifty foot fir will stand in the middle of the Clovis Civic Center for the remainder of December. The crowd remained to take pictures, mingle with others who were also in line with the holiday festivities, and enjoy further holiday treats.

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snowman lights sing along to popular carols. Of course, you can always take a nice drive around your own neighborhood in the evenings to see who’s putting on a light show near you. Or you can take a trip through Candy Cane Lane. The neighborhood entrance is at Cindy and Alluvial and the whole neighborhood is walkable and driveable all month long, but best on weekends. Look out for street treats like churros, donuts, and hot cocoa!

You could even make the night extra fun with a home-made holiday light scavenger hunt. Can you find a house with Santa and his sleigh on the roof? Do you see a snowman in the front yard? How about any sneaky elves? Themed houses get bonus points! We’ve mentioned it before, but don’t forget to take a spin with the carriage rides in Old town Clovis every weekend in December.

For some light fare, you can find holiday-themed drinks and food everywhere, like at your favorite coffee shops in Old Town Clovis or at the Sierra Vista Mall. Break out your ugly sweater for the pub crawl on Saturday, December 17th, hosted by Neighbors in Old Town Clovis. There will be drinks specials, for adults 21 and older, pub food, and good holiday cheer. On December 11th, Santa Claus will be visiting to bring hot chocolate, cookies, and ornament decorating to the Clovis Veterans Memorial District.