As shoppers strolled around downtown Flossmoor Saturday afternoon, they were serenaded by nine trombones belting out brassy holiday tunes in front of the Flossmoor Public Library.
The South Suburban Community Trombone Choir was one of many elements of a Celebrate the Season initiative kickoff organized for Small Business Saturday by the village of Flossmoor and the Flossmoor Business Association.
“It’s an opportunity to shine a bright light on our small businesses,” said Stephanie Wright, the village’s program and event coordinator. “They are the heartbeat of our community, and this is a small way to give something back to all of them.”
Mason Riedel, a bass trombone player and music educator from Homewood, directed the horns, first in Flossmoor Park and then in front of the library. The trombone choir was created last year and has played a few concerts for friends and colleagues, but this was the first public event.
“I’m excited for us to have some exposure to a new audience,” Riedel said. “People won’t otherwise hear this kind of group.”
The Bel Canto Children’s Choir also performed. Homewood-Flossmoor High School’s Viking Choir also sang before the village’s tree lighting in Flossmoor Park, led by Mayor Michelle Nelson.
“It’s a perfect start to the holiday season,” Nelson said. “When you can bring neighbors and friends and visitors from out of town all together to celebrate the joy of the holidays, it’s pretty special.”
For four hours Saturday, the village and the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District combined forces to host a Park Place Holiday Pop-Up inside the park’s field house. It gave people without brick-and-mortar stores a chance to sell their wares on Small Business Saturday. A collection of mittens, hats, gloves and socks was taken to help Respond Now, a Chicago Heights-based charity.
Jewelry designer Hollee Gaytan showed off her company, GlamPop Designs. Gaytan started it roughly 4 years ago and does wholesale and online sales. But the pop-up provided a well-timed opportunity to sell face-to-face.
“It’s always nice to see people from the community since I live here,” Gaytan said. “I have interactions with them and they get to see what I’m doing.”
Nearby, Bryeanna Howard, of Chicago Heights, sold handcrafted bath products, candles and more under the banner of Breezy Barz and Beauty. Howard started the business two years ago and typically sells online.
“I had a great time. I plan to be back and do it again,’ Howard said.
Outside, Flossmoor resident Jim Knetl allowed the use of his 1967 Chevrolet C10 pickup truck for photo opportunities in Flossmoor Park. Knetl said the idea came about because Wright walks by his house every day with the dogs and sees the truck parked in the driveway.
“I’ve gotten to know so many more people today because of the truck,” Knetl said. “It’s nice to be around and see a community get together.”
Santa visited the library lawn with the help of the Flossmoor Volunteer Fire Corporation. Families could also get hot chocolate and cookies donated by Meijer. It all added up to a great afternoon for Lavon Robinson, of Homewood.
“We’re always looking for things to do,” Robinson said. “This is a nice community event where we can see people we know, try local restaurants and support local businesses.”
Robinson said the family plans to return to Flossmoor Park throughout Hanukkah for the lighting of the Menorah near the tree.
“It’s important to me that we work to make our events reach everyone,” Wright said. “I want people to feel included, welcomed and that someone has intentionally thought about them while planning the event.”
Wright said it was gratifying to see it all come to fruition on Saturday, especially with so many businesses and organizations working together to make it happen.
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“This is one of my favorite things, because there is truly something for all ages,” Wright said. “It helps put some fun into an otherwise chilly and dark season.”
Flossmoor launched Celebrate the Season last year, adding to roughly 15 years of efforts by the Flossmoor Business Association to encourage people to shop local for the holidays. Businesses both downtown and in the Flossmoor Commons shopping center jumped on the opportunity with extended hours, special deals and giveaways.
Morgan Sullins, owner of Gypsy Fix, said her regulars are always supportive but come out in droves when Flossmoor has special events.
“Any time it’s something public, where there’s dates and times on things, I think as a community people tend to support and rally around that,” Sullins said. “It’s been busy, a great day. It’s always nice to see everybody.”
At Ruby Ella Sweets, guests stuffed stockings with candy. Conservatory Vintage & Vinyl sold wrapped mystery bundles. Dunning’s Market offered cooking demonstrations and food samples, while The Bistro on Sterling provided free hot cocoa and apple cider an hour before opening the dining room for dinner.
Tracy Cairo, co-owner of The Bistro, said community efforts like this tend to drive more customers to the restaurant. The village’s support of outdoor tables, chairs and umbrellas helped business over the summer.
“The community here in Flossmoor is wonderful, and they come out to celebrate,” Cairo said.
For Jessica O’Malley, who runs J. O’Blooms downtown, the festivities were bittersweet. After opening the storefront in March 2020 as an extension of her outdoor gardening business, O’Malley said the retail space will close at the end of December.
“Unfortunately, the current complicated economic environment has made it impossible to continue,” O’Malley said.
She plans to continue her container planting services, yard consultations and workshops after the first of the year. Until then, she is enjoying the remaining face time the downtown space gives her.
“I’ve enjoyed having the retail shop and learned so much,” O’Malley said. “My customers are just the nicest people you could hope to serve and I’ll miss them.”
J O’Blooms also plans to offer refreshments and stay open later with other downtown Flossmoor businesses on Thursday as part of a holiday open house event that is to include carolers stopping by the shops.
“I do believe the village is doing more than ever to create a positive environment for the small business community,” O’Malley said. “I’ll continue to be a champion of shopping small, shopping local. Folks really need to consider whether it’s a bustling small business district they want in their community or giant warehouses.”
For more information about Flossmoor’s monthlong Celebrate the Season slate of events, go to flossmoor.org.
Bill Jones is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.