What is your favorite spot to shop when visiting the city of Burlington?An important question one group of women had to consider as they took ‘una passeggiata’ on Wednesday. That is Italian for a traditional evening stroll. It happens in Burlington every Wednesday to promote spending money here.”I think Church Street in general is just a really fun place to shop. It’s about local businesses and people can walk and shop like they used to be able to,” said Tina Zuk.Zuk is a member of the Junior League of Champlain Valley (JLCV), an organization of women dedicated to making a positive impact in their community. A community, they say needs the help.”A lot of us work in Burlington,” said JLCV’s Olivia Taylor. “I think we want to show people that the Junior League is here, we’re hanging out, and that we’re a group. If you feel a little anxious about being downtown, come join us.”The people who run businesses in the city welcome this new tradition to help them meet their bottom line, which has become harder to do. They say their shoppers are scared to walk the city’s streets or do not want to navigate the construction going on downtown.”We really started to take notice when our guests mentioned they weren’t going to come because they didn’t feel safe walking to their car or they weren’t going to come because they didn’t even know where their car would be in proximity to the bar” said Emily Morton, co-owner of The 126 in Burlington. “Its definitely been an issue.”For a few hours Wednesday evening, the Junior League visited their favorite shops and emptied their wallets.”We’ve managed a late opening for the ‘passeggiata’. These folks are coming out to support our downtown, and we want to be there for them as well,” said Mark Bouchette, owner of Homeport. “We just love it, we think it’s brilliant.”They even met some of the new faces to Burlington’s downtown, who welcome this with open arms.”Church Street’s been through a tough time,” said Andrew Parlapiano with Whizbangs Candy Lab. “I think it’s on an upswing. Shopping local is the best way you can support that. We’ve been really lucky that we’ve gotten a warm welcome so far. We’re going to keep it up and do our best and bring some joy to the streets.”Organizers say they hope to do it again soon and urge you to take a stroll downtown next Wednesday and join in on the effort.
What is your favorite spot to shop when visiting the city of Burlington?
An important question one group of women had to consider as they took ‘una passeggiata’ on Wednesday. That is Italian for a traditional evening stroll. It happens in Burlington every Wednesday to promote spending money here.
Advertisement
“I think Church Street in general is just a really fun place to shop. It’s about local businesses and people can walk and shop like they used to be able to,” said Tina Zuk.
Zuk is a member of the Junior League of Champlain Valley (JLCV), an organization of women dedicated to making a positive impact in their community. A community, they say needs the help.
“A lot of us work in Burlington,” said JLCV’s Olivia Taylor. “I think we want to show people that the Junior League is here, we’re hanging out, and that we’re a group. If you feel a little anxious about being downtown, come join us.”
The people who run businesses in the city welcome this new tradition to help them meet their bottom line, which has become harder to do. They say their shoppers are scared to walk the city’s streets or do not want to navigate the construction going on downtown.
“We really started to take notice when our guests mentioned they weren’t going to come because they didn’t feel safe walking to their car or they weren’t going to come because they didn’t even know where their car would be in proximity to the bar” said Emily Morton, co-owner of The 126 in Burlington. “Its definitely been an issue.”
For a few hours Wednesday evening, the Junior League visited their favorite shops and emptied their wallets.
“We’ve managed a late opening for the ‘passeggiata’. These folks are coming out to support our downtown, and we want to be there for them as well,” said Mark Bouchette, owner of Homeport. “We just love it, we think it’s brilliant.”
They even met some of the new faces to Burlington’s downtown, who welcome this with open arms.
“Church Street’s been through a tough time,” said Andrew Parlapiano with Whizbangs Candy Lab. “I think it’s on an upswing. Shopping local is the best way you can support that. We’ve been really lucky that we’ve gotten a warm welcome so far. We’re going to keep it up and do our best and bring some joy to the streets.”
Organizers say they hope to do it again soon and urge you to take a stroll downtown next Wednesday and join in on the effort.
