For immediate release: November 12, 2020

Media Contact: Kara Alnasrawi, kara@burlingtonvt.gov

Program Contact: Samantha McGinnis, 802-598-9296
Marketing Contact: Julia Chalmers, 410-660-5130

Church Street Marketplace Extends the Holiday Season

Burlington, VT – The Church Street Marketplace will be offering an extended Holiday Season
during this unconventional year by encouraging shoppers to buy local and buy early to avoid
crowds.

“Spread the Season” - Buy Local Buy Early

The Church Street Marketplace is adapting to offer a safe, festive, and fun Holiday Season. ‘Spread
the Season’ will offer shoppers access to three weekends of Black Friday specials prior to the
traditional holiday shopping rush. These new measures will allow shoppers to practice social
distancing while supporting their favorite local retailers and restaurants. In addition, the
Marketplace is bringing its traditional Holiday cheer with a new socially distanced twist including
the Top Block Christmas Tree, Letters to Santa, and 12-days of Livestreams. These promotions are
funded by a contribution from Xfinity.

Spread the Season Details:

• Spread the Season. Twenty-five stores are participating in the ‘Spread the Season’
promotion offering ‘Black Friday’ discounts starting in early November. A full list of
participating stores and deals can be found at churchstmarketplace.com.
The ‘Spread the Season’ promotion runs on the following dates:
○ Friday, November 13th - Sunday, November 15th
○ Friday, November 20th - Sunday, November 21st
○ Friday, November 27th - Sunday, 29th*
*Final weekend includes Black Friday and Small Business Saturday
• Digital Holiday Guide. Pre-shop at home before heading downtown to find that perfect gift
by using the digital holiday guide. This online guide will showcase the Church Street
Marketplace’s retail holiday offerings.
• Hot Chocolate Vouchers. Spend $25 at participating stores and receive a voucher for a free
hot chocolate at one of these four locations: Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Kru Coffee, Leunig’s
Petit Bijou, and Burlington Bagel Bakery. Occurring Friday - Sunday starting November
13th through December 20th.
“Traditional-ish” Holiday Season Details:

• Church Street Marketplace Lights Up. There will not be a tree lighting ceremony
this year, but there will still be lights! Visit the Marketplace after Thanksgiving to
see the illumination of 250,000 LCD lights lining the Marketplace including the
iconic Top Block Christmas Tree. This year generously donated by Alison and
Michael Healy of South Burlington.
• Santa Mailboxes. Mail your letter to Santa via the magical North Pole mailboxes
located in-front of the Top Block Christmas Tree and City Hall.
• Holiday Window Contest. Merchants on Church Street will compete for the best
holiday windows. Facebook followers will vote for the best window. The contest
will run on the Church Street Marketplace Facebook page from November 24th -
December 15th.
• Small Business Saturday. With more than 70% of Church Street’s stores and
restaurants are locally owned, The Church Street Marketplace is proud to support
Small Business Saturday, November 28th, a day dedicated to supporting the local
merchants in our community.
• Caroling on the Marketplace. Enjoy the sites and sounds of the Holiday Season!
Socially distanced and masked vocalist and musicians will be caroling on the Church
Street Marketplace on Saturdays and Sundays in December between 12 noon - 7pm.
• 12-days of Livestreams. Join us virtually on Instagram from December 12th - 24th
@churchstreetmarketplace to catch 12-days of Livestreams with your favorite
businesses.

“This year we had to alter our traditional holiday festivities in order to play a role in keeping
our community safe. We hope to find an important balance between supporting our local
economy and following all appropriate guidelines to keep our community healthy” said Kara
Alnasrawi, Executive Director of the Church Street Marketplace.

“We are proud to once again partner with the Church Street Marketplace to celebrate a happy
and healthy holiday season,” said Dennis Mathew, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s Western
New England Region, which includes Vermont. “Whether you’re shopping on Church Street,
visiting our South Burlington Xfinity Store to pick up the latest iPhone as a gift for that special
someone, or at home enjoying classic holiday TV on Xfinity’s X1 platform, we love being a part
of your holidays.”

For More Information:

All press inquiries should contact Kara Alnasrawi at kara@burlingtonvt.gov

More information on the Holiday Season on the Church Street Marketplace can be found at
churchstreetmarketplace.com
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About Comcast
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three
primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United
States’ largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the
Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security
and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global
and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast
networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and
Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe's leading media and entertainment companies,
connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also
provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless
services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks,
produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for
more information.