Local Businesses Gearing up For the Holiday Season

With the holiday shopping season upon them, local Darien business owners are readying for the eventual hustle and bustle.

Julie Showalter, proprietor of Ellie Gibbler, will spend Black Friday weekend working as a vendor during the Mid American Irish Dance Championships at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont.

“Pretty much the whole store we’re taking and bringing it to the Hyatt,” Showalter said. “It’s going to be four days of craziness.”

Next month she plans to host a holiday sale at the store, which offers a variety of hand-decorated purses, headbands and trinkets.

“We’re going to get decked out for Christmas,” Showalter said.

The holiday sale will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, and Saturday, Dec. 10.

While the shop will be closed this Saturday, it will be open the rest of the Saturdays leading up to Christmas, Showalter said.

A  employee said the store will host it’s annual Black Friday Weekend Anniversary Sale, offering 30 percent off the used merchandise.

Lori Rapata, store manager at , said business tends to pick up around the holiday season as people stock up on their baking needs.

“We’re a little busier at this time of year,” she said. "We've been busy this week. People are buying new baking sheets and roasting pans."

Buying products at Wilton Homewares has its perks.

"We offer numerous decorating ideas with our products," Rapata said.

Upcoming holiday promotions at the shop include specials on cookie presses and gingerbread houses.