Shopping, caroling, trees and wreaths will ring in the season

By Ruth Melville

On the night of December 10, downtown Norfolk will usher in the holiday season with an evening of late-night shopping and special activities.

Bella Erder, who owns the shop Aija at 6 Station Place, initiated and organized the idea. “I wanted to plan a late-night shopping event for my own store,” she says, but she thought it would be even better “to try to initiate something that would bring together the town’s shops and restaurants and make the downtown a focal point.”

A variety of activities are already lined up for the evening. The Norfolk/Colebrook Boy Scout troop will be selling Christmas trees, and the Susan B. Anthony Project from Torrington will be selling wreaths. The Loon Meadow Farm sleigh will be on hand for photo ops. The Lions Club is sponsoring a performance by the Lions Share bluegrass band, and the Church of Christ choir will be singing Christmas carols.

Aija, the Artisans Guild, Joe Stannard Antiques and Sigma Design Studio will all be open until 8 p.m. Pop-up vendors at Aija include Asia Luna (products made with essential oils), Camp (a women’s clothing company) and Lost Ruby Farm (goat cheese). There will also be a collection box at Aija for the food pantry at the Church of Christ Congregational.

Restaurants in town will be joining in the festivities by offering special deals. Wood Creek Bar & Grill will serve a prime rib and Yorkshire pudding special, and also hot cocoa. Infinity Hall Bistro will offer a free appetizer with dinner with proof of purchase from a Norfolk shop. Over at Station Place Café, Stefanie Gouey will prepare a dinner meal, and she can accommodate as many as 12 people.

Come to town, buy a couple of Christmas presents and enjoy some seasonal cheer with your neighbors. Who knows, maybe it will snow.