Chamber of Commerce window decor winners
BY KADIE TAYLOR
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — The Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce held its fourth annual Holiday Window Decorating Contest with the goal of decorating to match this year’s theme, an Old-Fashioned Christmas.
“We want to say thank you to the businesses that participated; their creativity was amazing,” Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Carrie Wood said. “I know it takes time and effort to do this, and so I hope they enjoyed it and had fun with it. And we look forward to next year. We’re already working on next year’s theme, next year’s parade and all that good stuff. So we plan from this year going out, we’re going to have a Christmas in July. And so each year, we plan to announce the theme and all things [during] Christmas in July, so they have plenty of time to think about what they’re going to do for the upcoming year and continue to make our community great.”
Windows were completed by Dec. 9, and winners were announced on Dec. 11 — three businesses were given a winning title.
Best Overall: MustardSeed Mercantile
Winning Best Overall, MustardSeed Mercantile curates a variety of antique and vintage treasures and brings in new items for shoppers to explore daily. Co-Owner Erica Tapley said she and her mom, Co-Owner Angel Elliott, are excited to have won and appreciative of community support for small businesses.
“We are truly honored and so appreciative to be in a community that has surrounded us with so much love since our opening day and continues to show up for us weekend after weekend,” she said. “Finding out our Christmas window display won Best Overall was the cherry on top of a wonderful first six months of business for our little shop. We have so many amazing small businesses in our area, and I know we speak for them all when we say that community support means everything to us.”
Located at, 112 North Lanier Ave. in Lanett, MustardSeed Mercantile is open Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit MustartSeed Mercantile on Facebook.
Most Creative: Old Ones & Cold Ones
Winning Most Creative, Old Ones & Cold Ones is a locally-owned adult beverage store that offers premium, domestic and locally brewed craft beer, wine, scotch, bourbon and liquor. Co-Owner Anne Cooley said she was excited to win as a new business, and she is proud to share her daughter’s painting with the community.
“I was thrilled to win because we are new — we just opened Dec. 18 of last year,” she said. “I love being creative, and having a daughter who can paint, I was like, ‘Oh, we can do this.’ With the thing being an Old-Fashioned Christmas, there’s an Old Fashioned drink. So we decided to put an Old Ones & Cold Ones spin on it and make our door paintings have to do with the Old Fashioned cocktail drink.”
Cooley’s daughter, and artist behind the window decor, Morgan Beaird, shared her excitement to paint the design.
“Once I heard the theme, An Old-Fashioned Christmas, I knew that we’d have to incorporate an Old Fashioned cocktail,” she said. “My favorite part of the project was talking with shoppers when they came and went. I think people really enjoy seeing art in the making.”
Old Ones & Cold Ones is located at 5005 20th Ave, Valley. For more information, visit Old Ones & Cold Ones on Facebook.
Most Whimsical: Birds on a Wire Photography
Winning Most Whimsical, Birds on a Wire Photography captures memories from weddings, boudoirs, seniors, births, headshots, event coverage and styled sessions — including birthdays, couples and more. Owner of Birds on a Wire Photography, Crystal Hill, said she is excited to share the holiday spirit with the community through her decor.
“It means a great deal to me to have even the smallest impact on my community,” she said. “It makes me very happy seeing children stop by the studio in wonderment at seeing the Santa, lights and all the little details I used for the window display. I have loved decorating since being little, when my Mama would always go all out for every holiday. And I love decorating for photography sessions.”
Hill said she is glad to have a community of support, and she wants to encourage locals to support local businesses in West Point.
“I’m glad to see our community leaders recognize small businesses as well, as it’s vital that we have their support and it’s a blessing that Chambers County does,” she said. “So, come stroll the downtown West Point area and take photos, enjoy some shopping, dinner, coffee and book a session with me.”
Birds on a Wire Photography is located at 718 3rd Ave, West Point, Georgia. To learn more, visit the website www.birdsonawirephotography.com or Birds on a Wire Photography on Facebook.
