Uptown Marion Businesses Having Open House Tonight

Marion's Christmas in the Park isn't the only show in town tonight, as four Iowa businesses will be holding an open house.

, , Happenstance and Domicile on Eighth Avenue will all take part in the open house, which starts at 7 p.m.

Gae Sharp-Richardson, owner of both Happenstance and Temptations Fine Candies, said it came about because all four businesses are relatively new.

"We are all for new businesses in Marion, she said. we decided to do it during chrismas in the park because it would help their event and our event." 

They don't just share a relatively recent grand opening, they also represent part of uptown Marion's tight knit business community.

Conrad Ramsey, owner of Ramsey's Metro Market, said many of his favorite uptown businesses, the Campbell Steele Gallery, Temptations Fine Chocolates and Purse ~N~ Ality are run by Marion residents who — aside from making a living — pursued their businesses because it they felt it was necessary to add to Marion's metropolitan feel.

"It is the [business] community that brings this type of environment to a small metropolitan city," he said. "Being a connected community, we offer what people have to travel to get to in a place like Galena."

Specials

• Sharp-Richardson said Happenstance will be offering a t-shirt bag with a fifty dollar purchase, a drawing for a free four week belly-dance instruction.

• Temptations Fine Candies will be handing out candy sticks while they last, a peppermint truffle button with every five dollar purchase in addition to a drawing for a set of nine peppermint truffles.

• Ramsey's Metro Market will have a drawing for a $20 gift card to the store.

• Domicile will be having a sale on Christmas decor, which will be 50 percent off, in additon to having some peppermint chocolates.