Every year between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, the Christmas Place in Williamsburg opens its doors to local artisans, farms and other vendors, providing a venue for them to sell their products and creations.
Store owner Serena Zononi has operated the seasonal store for the last four years and says that business has steadily grown each year.
This year Zononi increased her retail space through interior renovations that added 118 square feet to the store’s showroom.
Seventy-four vendors have filled the shop with things like handmade jewelry, wooden bowls, boxes and utensils; knitted clothing; paintings; photographs; pottery; hand blown and stained glass items; pet collars and blankets; silk ties and scarves, quilted wall hangings; leather goods; candles; ornaments; Christmas stockings; honey; and coffee.
“From women and men to children, I think that we really have something for everybody,” Zononi said. “That has always been my goal for the store.”
Items in the store range in price from about $3 to $1,200.
“Our biggest item for sale this year is beautiful ebony and maple wooden table by Bob Melnik of Green River Woodcraft,” Zononi said of the $1,200 sofa table.
Melnik also has some smaller items on sale including spalted maple pens and shaving razors.
“Business has been great. We had so many people come in last weekend that I have already run out of several things,” Zononi said.
On Wednesday afternoon, Barb Giusti and Pat Walker of Windsor came into the store to restock their handcrafted burp cloths and receiving blankets.
“They have some wonderful things in here,” said Carey Morgan of Easthampton as she browsed around the store.
The Christmas Place also carries maple syrup, maple candy, and maple cream made by Zononi’s husband, Paul Zononi at Paul’s Sugar House, which is located next to the store.
“Another new item we have this year is pancake and waffle mix from Red Barn Creations out of North Hatfield. It goes great with our syrup,” Zononi said.
The Christmas Place is located at 28 Goshen Road, Route 9.
The seventh annual Chesterfield luminary celebration will take place on Saturday when luminaries will be placed along Main Road.
Festivities will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Chester Community Center, where participants can share conversation, light refreshments and community spirit, all by the glow of candlelight.
Rumor has it that a special guest will visit from North Pole and will arrive in style, chauffeured in a fire truck by the Chesterfield Fire Department.
This event is a benefit for the Chesterfield/Goshen Children’s Fund. Cash donations of unwrapped toys will be accepted. Checks can be made payable to the Chesterfield Firefighter Association.
The annual Worthington COA holiday party for residents over 60 will take place on Monday, Dec 12, at 11:45 a.m. at the R.H. Conwell School.
Light hors d’oeuvres, eggnog, and sparkling cider will be served along with a prime rib lunch.
Entertainment will be provided by violinist Elizabeth Barbour and guitarist Richard Benoit. Students of Conwell School will offer a short concert at the end of the event
Please bring a knitted item for the “Knittin’ Tree.” Hats, scarves, mittens gloves, socks can be hand made or store bought. These items will be presented to the students at the Conwell School to be donated to those in need in local communities and medical facilities.
Please RSVP to Sandy Epperly at 238-5584 by Dec 7.
Ideas for this column on life in the Hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at Fryan.gazette@gmail.com.