EAST VILLAGE — More than two dozen neighborhood businesses like Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks, Exit 9 Gift Emporium and Luke’s Lobster are offering free food and discounts on merchandise this Wednesday as part of an effort to encourage local holiday shopping.
The East Village Holiday Shopping Night and the Holiday Party, hosted by the East Village Independent Merchants Association (EVIMA), will highlight about 25 small businesses in the neighborhood, said the group’s program director, Lindsey Piscitell.
“We really wanted to spotlight these merchants, especially during the holiday season,” she said, adding that the events were designed to encourage the community to patronize locally-owned businesses.
“Their support is crucial for the continued health of these businesses,” Piscitell said.
Despite the event’s name, the discounts will be available all day as long as the shops are open, although some retailers have decided to extend their offers through the rest of the month, Piscitell said.
That evening, EVIMA — an offshoot of the East Village Community Coalition — will host a holiday party at Ballaro Vino & Sveltine, located at 77 Second Ave., from 6 to 9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, she said.
To see a list of participating retailers and their offers, or to RSVP to the event, visit EVIMA’s website.
