It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

It's almost that special time of year when our downtowns light up with Christmas lights and everywhere you look there's a Christmas tree! This weekend some of our downtown windows were painted and decorated for our upcoming Christmas season.

In Exeter, CA Christmas is a time celebrated and prepared for. Exeter was named one of America's Prettiest Painted Places and also honored as one of the top 50 Reasons to Visit California. A country about 45 minutes southeast of Fresno and a short 2.5 hours from the central coast as well as Los Angeles, CA, arriving in Exeter is like taking a step back in time.

Be sure to join us the four Thursdays after Thanksgiving as we look forward to Christmas (Nov. 29th, Dec. 6th, 13th & 20th, 2007) from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. in downtown Exeter. Free Carriage Rides (see photo) are offered (courtesy of Tricia Kirksey Real Estate); Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus are dressed in their finest and receiving all the good little children to hear their last minute Christmas wishes (see photo); the merchants open their doors wide each Thursday evening and the first night free hors d'evoures and refreshments abound. Carolers stroll the downtown streets wishing all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season.

Everyone is encouraged to "Shop Exeter"! Unique and one of a kind items are available at our wonderful shops; Rosemary & Thyme, a quaint two story shop full of great clothes and wonderful collectibles and other special gifts is behind The Wildflower Cafe and across the courtyard from the back door of Hollyhock Gifts where you step into an enchanting world of classy collectibles and one-of-a-kind home decor including Sid Dickens (E & Pine). Monet's is across the street and a wonderful spot for an Italian soda, an imported beer or a glass of wine, Monet's also features special vege or meat plates as well as tiramisu and much more! Walk on down E Street and you'll find Pine Street Relics which features space after space of antiques, collectibles and charming bric a brac, continue north on E and you'll find Norma's Jewel Box and Hole in the Wall Pizza (yummy) and a little further down is one of our newest shops Weddings by Enjoy, a full service floral design company. Walking a bit further, you'll come to Main Street Exeter where you'll know you've arrived at a very special shop full of wonderful fibers, textures, scents, & classic designs in clothing and accessories. Linda McEwen has a knack for the classical and the useful. Turn around and head back down E street (north). Cross the street (west) to Exeter Flower Company (see photo) where you're transported back to a simpler time with old fashioned candies, beautiful crafted fresh floral arrangements and fun gifts. Right next door is the Book Garden, an absolutely wonderful bookstore like none other featuring not only traditional books but also many books on the San Joaquin Valley as well as other local offerings. At this writing, there are two new shops coming in just down the street. You'll next come to Mandarin House where you'll cross the bricked alleyway and find Hometown Emporium. Greet the bear and step inside to a world of long ago. Meet generations of the family of the owner Kristy and Steve Alves (you'll see photos dating back to the 1800's on the walls as well as family belongings from generations past on a loft above the shop). Hometown Emporium is a bakery, deli, restaurant and gift shop that features fresh baked breads including White, Wheat with Walnut, Seven Grain, Sour Dough, French, Low Carb and Rye. They even bake their own Turkey, Ham and Roast Beef, mash their potatoes, and mix and bake cookies and bread from scratch daily! And they even use real ice cream for their shakes and sundaes! But, you won't be able to purchase regular meals Thursday nights as they only serve FREE appetizers in the evening. Kristy also has her own catering company "Cakes & Catering by Kristy" and she features wedding cakes too as you can see in the full size color photos high on the walls. Step out and you'll walk past Vallarta's Restaurant (yummy!) and come to Duby's Tanning & Salon, which is right next to Wish List Boutique where Summer Silva welcomes you into her shop filled to the brim with stylish clothing and accessories. Just down the street is Tangles Hair Salon, The Stag Saloon and El Nuevo Mexicali (YUM). Cross the street and walk past B of A, and you'll find The Pampered Pet with the cutest little pink pet stroller with heart shaped blinkers and tons of doggy and kitty supplies. Don't forget Gerarmac Imports and More! Oh my, you MUST walk all the way into this wonderful shop and see all of their imports from Mexico; time to decorate! Cross E Street again and head east towards Stash Builders, a charming quilt shop and there's Hollyhock Gifts again (the front door). Pass Next Step, Inc. and you'll find Rosalee's Beauty Salon which also includes Massage by Terri (for over 13 years) and Elly Bryant Photography, you've just got to peek inside at the lovely display. Now for a treat, cross the alleyway and you'll find Exeter Mercantile, a longstanding business in Exeter. Step inside and take your time looking around at the fabulous upscale displays, from wonderful home decor to gourmet kitchen items, you'll find it all here.

Now, hop in your car and drive down Pine to Rocky Hill Drive. On Rocky Hill Dr. and B Street, you'll find By The Water Tower Antiques. You simply must step in to this charming house with an attachment brimming to the top with antiques. Just south of By The Water Tower Antiques is Annie's Gifts. Annie is a very gifted seamstress and makes cute giftables. Once you leave head north on B Street past the Courthouse Gallery and turn left (west) on Pine St. Turn into Sweet Alyssa's Boutique where you'll meet Rachel Gonzales and see all her fabulous accessories, clothes and jewelry! Rachel has a wonderful selection of stylish clothing and she also features Plus Sizes.

Back in the car you go and head west down Pine Street until you reach the Frosty King (or Monarch Ford) and park. You'll pass Video Plus, Creekside Bookkeeping & Tax Service, & Tricia Kirksey Real Estate. Head into Exeter True Value and you'll find all kinds of home decor items as well as any kind of home improvement help you could imagine.

You've now made a complete circle of the downtown area and I'm sure eaten your way through the shops. Now, it's time for that carriage ride (see photo) and how 'bout Santa Claus? :) Enjoy!

www.exeterchamber.com

559-592-2919 for more info.