The NorthShore Merchants Collective is hosting its third annual Holiday Window Treasure Hunt to benefit the Northside Neighborhood House.
To join in the fun, all one has to do is pick up a game card from any one of 33 participating businesses and start a-hunting. Similar to those "find the hidden object in the picture" games one might remember from "Highlights Magazine", the NorthShore's version makes one take to the sidewalk, looking for unlikely hidden items in the holiday-themed windows of local businesses. For example, one might find an out-of-place fishing reel from Blue Ridge Fly Fishing in the window of Frankie & Julian's, or a dog bone from Nooga Paws in the window of ClearSpring Yoga.
Completed game cards are ultimately deposited, along with a minimum one dollar contribution, at one of five NorthShore businesses. Each successful treasure-hunter is then registered for the chance to win a giant gift basket valued at $1,500, which is filled with gift certificates and goodies from favorite NorthShore shops and restaurants. All collected monies will be matched by NSMC and donated to the NorthSide Neighborhood House for its annual Toy Drive. NNH works with its clients to purchase the specific toys and items their children have requested from Santa.
The 3rd annual Holiday Window Treasure Hunt kicks off on Friday, Nov. 17, the weekend of the NorthShore's Holiday Open House, and runs until Jan. 7, 2018--so if you don't have time during the pre-Christmas rush, you can join in the fun after Christmas, before the little ones have to return to school.
This NSMC signature holiday activity was inspired by one of its members, Jamie Paul George of Frazier Avenue's GOOD DOG. Mr. George remembers a similar activity from his childhood in the town of Gillingham in Dorset, England. "It was a lot of fun and an annual tradition there," he said. "You'd run into your friends doing the same thing so it was a good way to catch up with everyone. The tradition prevails--my own mother still does it to this day."
Participating NorthShore businesses include Abby Lane Boutique, Backstreet Betty's, Belle Rive Boutique, Blue Ridge Fly Fishing, blue skies, Burlap n Board, Chattanooga Theatre Centre, ClearSpring Yoga, Clumpies Ice Cream, Embargo 62, Escape Mission Chattanooga, Frankie & Julian's, Four Bridges Outfitters, Glace Cryotherapy, GOOD DOG, Hair a go-go, Healthy Glow Studio, In-Town Gallery, Learning Express, Moxie Salon, Nooga Paws, Olive Chattanooga, Options Health, Quality Tire Pros, Papercut Interactive, Plum Nelly, Renew All Things, Revelator Coffee, River Street Deli, Sophie's Shoppe, Speed Deluxe, Tangerinas, and Whole Foods.
Founded in 2006, the NorthShore Merchants Collective is a cooperative association of local business owners dedicated to representing and supporting Chattanooga’s NorthShore. It is committed to preserving and promoting the unique nature, eclectic image and original integrity of the neighborhood as well as to ensuring an optimal environment for conducting business.