It’s just before Christmas
And all around town
Shoppers rejoice with the
Bargains they’ve found
Garland is hung from the
Lampposts with care
In hopes that smart shoppers
Would bring their lists there
Our store windows are decked
With holiday offerings galore
You’ll find unique shopping, less traffic,
Restaurants and more!
If you’re disillusioned with the whole holiday shopping hoopla of waiting in long lines and fighting for parking spaces at the mall, the Wayne County Convention and Visitors Bureau invites you to discover the quaint downtowns and quiet villages of Wayne County, Ohio. A place where you can shop in a relaxed stress-free atmosphere and experience Christmas Shopping the way it should be.
Shop Downtown Wooster, where parking spaces are as abundant as the many different shops who call this historic main street community home. Come enjoy the “unwrapping” of the animated Christmas windows on November 22 as the downtown merchants celebrate Window Wonderland and the arrival of Santa. Whether your shopping style is funky or sophisticated you’ll appreciate the unique “Soho Style” galleries, bakeries, restaurants, book stores, and wonderful one-of-a-kind shops. Turn your shopping trip into a special holiday get-a-way, and spend the night at the newly opened St. Paul Hotel, a New York style boutique hotel just a block off Public Square and in walking distance to many fine restaurants and night spots including the Somar Wine Bar and the JAFB Brewery.
No shopping trip to Wayne County would be complete without a stop in Kidron, home of Lehman’s Hardware. Walking through the front door you’ll step back in time 100 years. Right down the road in Dalton is the P. Graham Dunn Gallery, the manufacturer of charming wood gifts and home accessories which can be personalized by their laser wood engraving machines while you watch. Make a day of it and visit Dalton the weekend of December 6 -8 for the Dalton Holidays Festival and parade. The “coolest” parade in Ohio steps off Saturday at 2:00.
The City of Orrville, the hometown of those wonderful Smuckers Jams and Jellies and The J.M. Smucker Company Store and Cafe, kicks off the season on November 29 with their Home for the Holidays Celebration.
The Village of Smithville boasts many fine shops in The Barn Restaurant Complex including Buchanan Place Gifts, The Oak Cupboard General Store and the Toyrifix Specialty Toy Store, a wonderful toy store for kids of all ages. A trip to Toyrifix is like a trip to the North Pole, with beautiful dolls, puzzles, games and stuffed animals; you’ll find yourself thinking that Santa’s elves must stock their shelves.
Wayne County has many holiday craft shows and open houses. How about a bottle of Wayne County’s own Troutman Wines or a cheese tray from Shisler’s Cheese House. Here’s a delicious idea, eggnog bottled in glass bottles by Hartzler’s Family Dairy at their Wooster Dairy. And what theater goers wouldn’t appreciate a pair of tickets to The Ohio Light Opera?
So why fight the traffic and crowds of the malls this year? Wayne County, Ohio has something for everyone on your list. Our friendly merchants are ready to share their holiday spirit while welcoming you to their stores. Santa has been known to shop the uncrowded stores of Wayne County, maybe you should too!
Visit the Wayne County Convention & Visitors Bureau on line at www.wccvb.com or call us direct at 1-800-362-6474 for a complete list of holiday shops and events in our area.