4th annual event offers in-store specials, chance to win shopping spree

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By Eric Lewis
Times & Transcript Staff

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While there's no snow on the ground yet and Metro Moncton is enjoying mild weather, Riverview businesses aren't waiting to start enjoying the holiday season.

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RON WARD/TIMES & TRANSCRIPT

Riverview businesses are gearing up for the annual Downtown Riverview Business Association Christmas Stroll, which takes place Thursday, Nov. 26. Here Ruth Phillips owner of Morning Glory Gifts works on a tree in her store.

The Downtown Riverview Business Association's fourth annual Christmas Stroll takes place tomorrow, a day celebrating the holiday season and one that kick-starts Christmas shopping in the town.

Businesses in the town will offer holiday refreshments and a variety of in-store promotions and specials all day. Over 20 businesses throughout the town are participating.

Ruth Phillips, co-owner of Morning Glory Gifts on Coverdale Road, says the annual stroll is growing each year. Where people used to ask her what the Christmas Stroll was, now people are expecting and looking forward to it.

"It's great for the Riverview businesses," she explains. "It gives people an opportunity to come and see what we have right here in their backyard."

She says new customers are often surprised to discover that Morning Glory has been in business for 12 years. While Riverview is often looked at as a bedroom community to Moncton, that perception is starting to change, she says.

Morning Glory will offer 15 per cent off everything in the store, but Phillips says many of the businesses participating in the stroll tomorrow are offering their own specials.

In addition to the shopping experience, Christmas Stroll festivities include youth, senior and family activities, a visit from Jolly Old Saint Nick and an opportunity to win one of two Christmas shopping sprees valued at $1,000 and $500 in downtown Riverview.

After the shopping is done, the Town of Riverview is hosting an evening of holiday entertainment at Coverdale Centre, 55 Runnymeade Road.

Beginning at 7 p.m., it features entertainment by DancEast and musical guests including Trio Ingenue, The Greater Moncton Chorale, Jared and Marie and more.

As a special treat, Santa Clause will drop in from the North Pole to have a cookie with the wee ones and double check his Naughty and Nice lists.

The Community Christmas Concert is free of charge. Attendees will be able to fill out a Christmas Stroll Ballot at this event for a chance to win a pair of ready-to-hang wall plaques from Riverview artist Stephen Bauckman's Zoo Kids collection.

Here are all of the businesses participating in the Christmas Stroll: All About You Vibrations, AssureCare Pedorthics, Atlantic Superstore Riverview, BMR Domac, CIBC Riverview, Dents & Stones Automotive, Downey Building Supplies, JaySet Riverview, Lollipops and Gumdrops, Maggies Flowers, Marwin Interiors, Mayberries Primitive Décor, Morning Glory Gifts, Old Time Meat Market, Parkland Riverview, RBC Riverview, Riverview Floors & More, Scotiabank Riverview, Serenity Diamonds, Sharpe Impressions Spa & Salon, Shoppers Drug Mart Riverview, Sobeys Riverview, TD Canada Trust, The Twelve Months of Christmas, Treats Riverview and Wag & Wash.

* For more information on the Christmas Stroll, visit christmasstroll.blogspot.com and www.activeriverview.com