Community Appearance Commission announces Holiday Storefront Decorations winners

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 20, 2017

SALISBURY — The Community Appearance Commission has announced the winners of Salisbury’s 13th annual Holiday Storefront Decorations Awards.

Each year, the city commission recognizes merchants who go above and to bring holiday charm to historic downtown.

A jury of commission members viewed more than 50 seasonal displays and selected seven award winners for creative storefront displays.

The Best Overall Display award went to Lora Belle Baby at 105 N. Main St.

According to a news release, the committee appreciated its “cool, elegant display” that featured “a medley of adorable woodland creatures who have come out from their hiding places to play in the soft, fluffy snow — and to do some holiday shopping.”

“Carefully placed merchandise is nestled among handsome snow-powdered evergreens that twinkle with soft, understated lighting,” the release said. “Giant three-dimensional snowflakes float gently above the scene as a beaming carrot-nosed snowman looks on. Outside, cords and wreaths of deep green garland with bright red bows complete this fashionable, multidimensional display.”

The Home for the Holidays award went to Winsome Hanger at 103 N. Main St. It features antique doors and windows as well as Christmas trees.

“This inviting panorama evokes the timeless and peaceful tranquility of being at home for the holidays,” the release said. “So grab that hot chocolate, get cozy by the fire, and enjoy the warm company of your loved ones.”

The Welcome to Salisbury! award went to Sparrow’s Nest at 105 W. Innes St.

“Downtown’s newest boutique shop dignifies Innes Street with its tasteful and newly refurbished evergreen facade, which is complemented well by a grand wreath bursting with bright red berries, pinecones, poinsettia flowers and fluttering red and brown ribbons. The window displays offer passers-by a look into an enchanted winter forest, where glittering white reindeer prance in the snow and an old sled rests against the wall, beckoning you to hop on and take a spin,” the release said.

The Best Color-Coordinated Christmas award went to Bella’s Barkery at 203 S. Main St. The release said the committee liked its “vivacious decor that ties together electric blue and hot pink for a quirky and nontraditional holiday pizzazz.”

The Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree award went to Griffin’s Guitars at 103 S. Main St.

“Embracing their dramatic new location on Salisbury Square, Griffin’s wasted no time in embellishing their storefront with a harmonious collection of lively decorations and musical merchandise — a sleigh bursting with toys, a rockin’ horse, and a humongous, gleaming red ornament rest upon luxurious fields of a red-berry holly,” the release said. “All onlookers will certainly feel the rhythm.”

The Best Use of the Streetscape award went to Brown Eyed Suzy at 113 W. Innes St. for its use of the sidewalk to display holiday merchandise.

“Downtown merchants are always encouraged to activate the public sidewalks with decorations, wares, and other pedestrian amenities, and Brown Eyed Suzy went above and beyond this winter season,” the release said. “An antique red bike augmented by a picturesque wreath is paired with an inviting welcome sign garnished with ruby-red poinsettias and a verdant evergreen tree. The shop is a veritable cornucopia of Christmas plenty, where goods of all shapes, colors and sizes spill out beneath a tantalizing golden mistletoe.”

The Best Nighttime Display went to Pottery 101 at 101 S. Main St.

“Traditional Christmas wreaths tied with brilliant red bows bedeck the stately windows and doors of this impressive corner building, which helps anchor Salisbury Square,” the release said. “Grand, radiant stars and trees twinkle behind the windows and set aglow the charming merchandise within.”

The Community Appearance Commission thanked all the shop owners and staff who decorate storefronts for the holidays and throughout the year.

Award winners will be invited to the Biennial Awards program in February and honored for their contributions.