We're Gearing up for the Dog Days Sidewalk Sale!

Come to The District Thursday, July 25 thru Sunday, July 28 for the Dog Days Sidewalk Sale!

Get deep discounts on your favorite clothing, shoes, home accessories and more! (Hours vary by store.) Also, look around The District for lunch and dinner specials at participating restaurants.

See you there!

Gifts Under $10

Make a big splash with just a little cash!

Cupcakes
And chocolate and cookies and baked goods...With all the great bakeries here, make someone´s day by giving them a delicious collection of treats. Great gift for all the folks at the office as well.

Wine
Yes, it is possible to find a good bottle of table wine for under $10. Bring along a bottle to your next girls´ night or open one up after all your guests have gone.

Coffee
It's a high quality product at a low budget price. A pound of small-batch roasted coffee beans is the perfect hostess gift—or a great gift to open first thing Christmas morning.

Soaps & Candles
Find top notch scented candles, bath soaps and even purse-sized lotions at prices that won´t break the bank. Buy one as a stocking stuffer for mom or get a handful for your girlfriends.

Drinks
Buy a coworker a beer after work and enjoy the break before you both rush off to all your other holiday obligations. Even better, fill up your growler for about $10.

Lunch
Holidays are the time to get together with family but all too often it´s hard to talk one-on-one across a crowded dinner table. Treat a favorite relative lunch and enjoy the conversation.

If if you've got a little more in your budget, check out our gifts for under $50!

Dog Days Sidewalk Sale

Yes, we know it's hot. But that just means it's time for the hottest sale in town!

Our Dog Days Sidewalk Sale is almost here--it's coming up Thursday, July 26 through Sunday, July 29.  Shops open at different times--give your favs a call to find out how early they'll be open.

Yes, shops are offering up to 90% off.

Yes, there will be bottled water available.

Yes, you can have lunch and a glass of wine after you've hit all the sale tables.

And yes, you can do it all over again the next day as well.

Sip & Stroll is Saturday!

Inside Columbia's Wine and Food Festival presents Sip & Stroll on Saturday, May 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Here’s your passport to great wine and delicious discounts! This year’s Sip & Stroll invites you to 20 local shops and restaurants. Each of the 15 participating shops and five participating restaurants will offer exclusive discounts — some as high as 50 percent off one item — for Sip & Stroll passport holders. You’ll also have a chance to sample a red and a white wine at each location. Many locations will feature a festival chef who will present tapas and small plates.

Sip & Stroll passport bearers are the only ones eligible for the fantastic discounts, wine samples and the small plates. Purchase your $20 passport in advance and pick it up at the Inside Columbia office, 47 E. Broadway, the week prior to the event, at the Grand Tasting on Friday night, or at the Sixth and Cherry Street Garage any time after noon on Saturday. Volunteers will be manning the garage throughout the event to answer any questions you may have.

Doc & Norm Direct will be standing by at the Sixth and Cherry Street Garage to offer free sober chauffeur service.

This year’s Sip & Stroll vendors in The District are:

• Bluestem Missouri Crafts (40% of any wood cutting board or wooden utensil)
• Breeze (40% off entire purchase)
• Calhoun’s (Free wine-themed notepad and pencil; 20% off any one item)
• Dryer’s Shoe Store (40% off one item in the store)
• Elly’s Couture (40% off any one in-stock item and 15% off the remainder of your in-stock purchase with complimentary cocktails)
• Glik’s (40% off any one item)
• Kent’s Floral Gallery & Gifts (40% off any one item; Mama Jones Creations Dips & Cheeseball mixes, buy 3 get 1 free)
• Makes Scents (40% off any one item)
• McAdams’ Ltd. (50% off entire purchase — estate collection excluded)
• Swank Boutique (40% off any one item; 50% off sale merchandise)
• Tallulah’s (50% off Wusthoff two-stage sharpener with cutting board)

The Farmers and Artisans Market is Back in The District!

The North Village Arts District (NVAD) Farmers and Artisans Market opens April 29, 2012 in The District  for the 2012 season. The NVAD Farmers and Artisans Market will be open for business every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. through October 28, 2012 at Historic Wabash Station at Tenth & Ash.

Special events at the grand opening for the NVAD Farmers and Artisans Market will include a Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting at 9:00 a.m., musical entertainment by Mere Mortals from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and Plant a Seed Activities for children to decorate a flowerpot and plant seeds.The weekly market will include vendor booths of local farmers selling a variety of farm fresh produce and goods as well as artisans selling fresh baked breads, crafts, and fine art. Local food vendors will have delicious fare to eat on site for breakfast and lunch. Adults and children of all ages are encouraged to stop by, listen to music, shop and grab a bite to eat. The NVAD Farmers and Artisans Market is free to the public and is a wonderful family-friendly addition to Columbia.

NVAD Farmers and Artisans Market is proud to support local farmers and artisans by fostering meaningful relationships between them and the community. They provide the community access to fresh nutritious produce, quality goods, and unique crafts. NVAD Farmers and Artisans Market further enriches our community through fellowship and education with events and workshops for all ages.

We look forward to seeing you at the Market!

In love? Win a $10,000 DIY Wedding!

Engaged? Nearly engaged? Know someone who is??

If the answer is YES and the soon-to-be-weds radiate quirky, creative ideas...oh boy oh boy HOLD ONTO YOUR SEATS.

SilverBox has teamed up with Hoot Design Co. and The Bridal Solution to GIVE AWAY a full wedding package. That’s right:  GIVE. The winning couple will win over $10,000 worth of wedding services — no strings, ribbon or heirloom ric-rac attached.

Applications are accepted starting February 14th (LOVE!) and the search is on to find the perfect DIY couple who is bringing their creativity, theme and unique sense of selves to their wedding celebration.

Apps accepted through April 1st (no kidding!) with winner determined by April’s end. Hip hip HOORAY! Stay tuned to the Silverbox website for details and the application itself this Valentine’s Day.

Share the Love in The District!

Look who's sharing the love--The North Village Arts District is inviting you to a delightful evening full of sweet fun!

Orr Street Studios is offering a lively market with special guests selling artful gifts.

Artlandish Gallery is having a Love Fest with over 45 artists sharing handmade goodness and gifts for those you love. Live music by Keenan O'Brien, & Missouri Weather and the Wait 5. Plus, sweets for the sweet will be served! Now...to make it even sweeter you will all have a chance to win a piece of lovely hand made art every 30 minutes. Bring a gift of canned food for The Food Bank and register for you chance to win art on Friday night!

PS: Gallery will be hosting a Ladies Night Out with jewelry by Patty Lindbloom, chair massages by Cherry Hill Massage and cocktails by Purus Vodka.

For details, check out their Facebook event page.

Living Windows Schedule!

District merchants are all ready for our festival tomorrow night, Friday, December 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm!

Live window displays are the main feature of the evening´s festivities, but festival goers are invited to enjoy many other activities throughout the evening, including:

* Open houses
* Holiday treats and refreshments
* Live holiday music
* Free carriage rides through downtown
* Live nativity scene
* Santa Claus at Landmark Bank

Here's a taste of what we´re planning:

American Shoe
'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Bluestem Missouri Crafts
Candy Land!

Calhoun's
Stephen's College Dance Team

Candy Factory
Live music, warm drinks, free treats!

Commerce Bank
Live entertainment & free treats!

Elly's Couture
New Year's Eve

Envy
TBA

First Christian Church
Living Nativity

Landmark Bank
Visit Santa Claus!

Glik's
A Charlie Brown Christmas

Makes Scents
A Toy Story Christmas

Maude Vintage
"M" is for mud at Christmastime

Missouri United Methodist Church
Out of the Box Christmas - Music, treats and tours.

Mustard Seed Fair Trade
Fishing You a Merry Christmas

My Secret Garden
Rockin' around the Christmas Tree

Poppy
Christmas on Planet X

PS: Gallery
Season's Greetings: An Interactive Holiday Card

Slackers CDs & Games
Rockin' Around the Christmas Wii

Tallulah's
Dashing Through the Dough

For more details about participating shops, keep an eye on our website, www.discoverthedistrict.com.

District Gift Certificates Now Available!

What do you get for the person who has everything? Give the gift of The District´s best shopping, dining, arts and entertainment and give a District gift certificate.

Our gift certificates can be used in over 120 shops and restaurants and are available in any denomination. We only accept cash and personal checks. We also welcome corporate purchases and do accept money orders.

If you are interested in purchasing one of our gift certificates, contact us at (573) 442-6816 or stop by Makes Scents on Ninth Street.

Living Windows Festival this Friday!

As the weather turns colder, shopkeepers throughout The District begin planning for the annual Living Windows Festival.

On Friday, December 2 from 6-8 p.m., shopkeepers move all the merchandise out of their front windows and stage live holiday performances for onlookers. As the rest of us begin our holiday shopping, they're concentrating on sewing costumes, building sets, writing scripts and baking cookies for customers. Merchants go to great lengths to outdo one another--making each year's displays even more impressive than before.

The night itself is a celebration of the holidays. Shops in the The District feature open houses, strolling carolers, holiday treats,and visits with Santa. For more information, call (573) 442-6816.

Holiday Shop Hop Tonight!

 


Come to The District tonight, Friday, November 4th for The District's Holiday Shop Hop! From 5 to 8pm, enjoy free snacks and refreshments while you stroll through your favorite District shops. All participants will also enjoy incredible and exclusive discounts from Columbia´s finest retailers and restaurants!

This fun-filled, experience is perfect for a girls´ day out, a date-night or, take the whole family and enjoy a night on the town together!

For more details on participating stores, special offers and open houses, go to http://www.discoverthedistrict.com/holidayshophop.html.

Warren Dalton's New Book

Warren Dalton is known for his vast knowledge of Columbia's history but before Warren, there was North Todd Gentry--a man who wrote down every interesting thing that he witnessed in Columbia's early years. Now thanks to Warren and his co-editor David James, you too can find out exactly how many bear sightings there used to be in downtown.

Book are for sale at Bluestem Missouri Crafts, the Columbia Art League, the State Historic Society, the Boone County Historic Society and the Columbia Daily Tribune.

Roots 'n Blues Discounts

 After only a few minutes in The District, you'll realize this weekend isn't all about the music. We've got over 100 shops and 70 bars and restaurants for you to discover. That's why we're inviting you to our special Celebrate Your Roots: Discover The District event during the weekend of the Roots 'n Blues Festival.


We thought this would be a great way to say thanks to all the folks who come into The District for the festival. Celebrate Your Roots is a way for businesses to promote their own history, decorate their windows with Roots 'n Blues themes, and offer festival discounts to visitors.

What kind of things can people expect? Many shops and restaurants will be offering discounts--like a percentage off for every year they've been in business or discounts on great Roots 'n Blues themed dinners. We've even got special Roots 'n Blues inspired jewelry!

All you have to do look for the festival logo on the windows of participating businesses and check the festival website for details.

Tallulahs Grand Opening

Come down to Tallulahs at 812 Broadway today between 4:00 and 7:00 pm for their grand opening and ribbon cutting. Guest will be treated to wine tastings and appetizers from local chefs.

Eyewear Trunk Show at Poppy

Sunday, June 26 from 12:00 - 5:00 pm at 920 E. Broadway. Featuring both men's and women's frames that are creative, functional, edgy, fun & funky.

Downtown Farmers Market starts Sunday!

The North Village Arts District Farmers & Artisans Market is starting next Sunday, June 26th.

Our goal is to create an ongoing market that will provide Columbia with another source of fresh, local food, as well as the work of Missouri artists and artisans (particularly Mid-Missouri).

You can find the Web site at http://www.farmandart.com/ This new market will be held every Sunday, 9-2, from June 26th through November 13th. Please consider this your invitation to join us.

For more information or to register as a vendor, please visit http://www.farmandart.com/ -- please feel free to e-mail or call with any questions.
Sean Spence
Community Events -- www.commevents.com
seanspence@earthlink.net
573-823-1308

Sip & Shop

Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Combine two of America’s favorite pastimes – shopping and wine! This is your chance to sample great wines from around the world while you shop at more than 20 of Columbia’s finest merchants. Passports provide discounts up to 50% off any item and sometimes even include FREE gifts! This year’s Sip & Shop Passport includes admission to the Chocolate Symposium! This 30-minute seminar at The Candy Factory will focus on chocolate and wine pairings. Reservations are required and seating is limited to 30 per session on a first-come, first-served basis. Look out for a registration e-mail once you purchase your passport!

tickets are $20 / person, must be 21 or over to participate.

http://columbiawinefest.com/category/sip-n-shop/

Spring Shop Hop

Mark your calendars for Friday, April 29 and our Spring Shop Hop!

Shop for Japan

On March 11, 2011 a 9.0 magniture earthquake and devastating tsunami hit the heart of Japan.  Mustard Seed is teaming up with several other businesses in The District to help out.

Mustard Seed, Makes Scents and other local business owners will be donating 10% of all sales on Saturday, March 26, 2011 to WorldVision. A few of them are kicking off the event on Friday by also donating 10% of all sales from 5-8 p.m. on Friday night.



They're still recruiting businesses to participate so keep an eye on their online list of participants.

New Cooking Store Opening Soon!

Tallulah's, a new kitchen, tabletop and home store, will be opening this April in The District.  We'll keep you posted with all the great details!