Christmas in July has taken hold in downtown Westminster, with several businesses and organizations rolling out holiday sales, seasonal menu items and visits from Santa and a cardboard Elvis.
As you walk around town this week, remember what Buddy the Elf said: “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” That’s really the only way to guarantee that even more businesses jump on board with this idea. Also, Santa is watching.
Starry Night Bakery: holiday cupcake flavors through July 25
Starry Night Bakery, at 330 One Forty Village Road, is offering a run of holiday cupcake flavors as its Flavors of the Week: Lemon Peppermint; Buddy the Elf, a maple cake with vanilla icing; Rudolph's Nose, a chocolate strawberry; The Grinch, made with key lime, pineapple and coconut; Churro, in cinnamon sugar; and Maple Pumpkin. The promotion runs through Saturday, July 25, when the bakery is closing out the celebration with what it is billing as "super secret specials."
Starry Night has run a Christmas in July promotion for the past several years, said owner Shannon Clarke, and it has become a summer fixture for customers. “People seem to like it. It breaks up the monotony of the summer heat,” said Clarke, who added that a “Summerween” event last week sold out of fall-flavored items.
Starry Night Bakery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and can be reached at 410-871-9131. Check them out on Facebook and Instagram.
KELLY + CO.: lowest prices of the summer through July 31
On Main Street, KELLY + CO., at 185 E. Main St., is running a sale on furniture and other items from the vintage and farmhouse-style boutique.
KELLY + CO’s sale runs through Friday, July 31. “This is my seventh year celebrating Christmas in July, a tradition I've kept alive every single year since I opened,” said owner Kelly Wickesser. Shoppers can expect “a really fun atmosphere with giveaways and my absolute lowest prices of the summer,” she said.
The shop can be reached at 410-596-2212. Wickesser encouraged customers to watch the store's Facebook and Instagram pages for updates on what she’s rolling out. She’s known for going live on social media and offering exclusive deals and giveaways to viewers.
Collision Course: Santa is coming to Sunday brunch
Just down the road at 61 E. Main St., Collision Course, the soul food restaurant, is marking the occasion all month, and Santa Claus is scheduled to visit on Sunday, July 26, from 10:30 a.m. to about 2:30 p.m. during the restaurant's Sunday brunch.
Santa will walk around the dining room, and children will get an ornament craft, said restaurant co-owner Ashley Gerald. You might even be able to give Santa a letter and get a response. “I do this at Christmas, and I love it,” said Gerald.
No reservations are required for Sunday’s brunch, but parties of five or more are asked to call ahead, as larger groups are difficult to seat as walk-ins. More information is available on the Collision Course Facebook and Instagram pages, and the restaurant can be reached at 410-220-6101.
Caring Carroll: a pop-up shop and photos with Elvis
The holiday theme extends beyond Main Street. Caring Carroll, a Westminster nonprofit that matches trained volunteers with Carroll County residents 60 and older to help them live independently, is hosting a Christmas in July Pop-Up Shop on Friday, July 24, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Carroll Nonprofit Center, 255 Clifton Blvd.
A cardboard “Jailhouse Elvis” will be on hand for photo ops, so guests are encouraged to bring their phones, and door prizes will carry Elvis and holiday themes. Mini Melts ice cream will be free with no purchase necessary. Shoppers who spend $25 will be entered for a chance to win Target gift cards as part of the organization's “Summer Reunion of Friends” campaign.
Founded through a Faith in Action grant in 2005 and an independent nonprofit since 2007, Caring Carroll has served hundreds of older and disabled county residents, with volunteers providing rides, errands, light housekeeping and friendly visits. The organization can be reached at 410-775-5596 or found on Facebook.
Patty Cake's Pop Shop: cake pops returning Aug. 1-2
Patty Cake's Pop Shop is bringing its Grab & Go Fridge back for a second pop-up weekend on Aug. 1 and 2, and the owner has asked followers to suggest cake pop flavors in the comments on her Facebook page, with a chance their pick will be added to the lineup. Westminster Wire has dropped Christmas-flavor suggestions in the comments, a way to carry the Christmas in July spirit into the August pop-up. Jump into those comments and post your own flavor suggestions. Stay tuned to Patty Cake’s Facebook page for details on when and where to find the pop-up shop.
Looking ahead: a Halloween-themed quilt class at Sew 'N Sweep
Not every Westminster business has its calendar stuck in July-cember.
Sew 'N Sweep, the sewing and quilting shop in the TownMall of Westminster at 400 N. Center St., is offering a five-week Ouija Board Quilt Class that walks confident beginners and experienced quilters through building a Halloween-themed quilt. The class includes a kit with the pattern and several tools. Details and registration are available on the class page. Start now and be creeping people out by October.
Have a fun theme or other news to share? Send it to Westminster Wire.
And in the meantime, stay off the naughty list.