The tradition of a holiday preview started 15 years ago, said Hilton Pharmacy's Mary Kirkland. "We wanted to give our customers an opportunity to enjoy a festive event to kick off the holidays, and it's great that other store owners have jumped on the bandwagon," she said.

Most of the downtown stores will offer special discounts along with entertainment, food and prize drawings during the day. Some have advertised extended hours as well. The event is also a "welcome" to Details Home Décor and Gifts, which recently relocated to a historic home on the corner of 3rd Street and 47th Ave. NE.

At Hilton Pharmacy, musicians Nick and Bert will provide ambience throughout the day while customers look over the latest in holiday décor and gift items. Samples from the pharmacy's gourmet shop will offer tasty treats from the northwest and nationally-known paper artist Sharyn Sowell will be on hand to demonstrate her unique designs in paper art from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Across the street at Gatherings, owner Carol Rochon is planning a special after-hours event from 4 to 7 p.m. with wine and cheese, exciting giveaways and 20 percent discounts on the shop's inventory of elegant and funky accessories and furnishings. Gatherings also features an exclusive line of fragrances and candles, pure silk robes and unique jewelry.

Customers can enter a drawing for a beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece at Marysville Floral, open regular hours for the open house event. Shop for a special vase and order your holiday arrangements while you're there.

At Carr's Hardware, owner Darlene Scott and her staff are focused on fall gardening and home improvement needs. The old-fashioned hardware store, staffed by knowledgeable and helpful people, carries the latest products for the season, and will delay its holiday decorating until after Thanksgiving. Nevertheless, Scott invites downtown shoppers to stop in to register for door prizes and other specials throughout the Open House day.

A few blocks away, Details is planning its official grand opening celebration Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 13-15. The store, which relocated to the renovated Quast pioneer home in August, will be open until 7 p.m. on Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and until 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Owner Louise Christianson and her staff are already busy transforming the lovely gift shop into a holiday wonderland. During the grand opening event, shoppers will be treated to giveaways along with samplings of gourmet treats including cider, chocolates and pumpkin cobbler. Customers will also earn double "Details Dollars," with coupons good for $10 on a future purchase for each $50 spent.

Be sure to start your holiday shopping locally, with a visit to 3rd Street during the Holiday Open House Saturday, November 15.

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