If you are like most of us, the 2012 year seems to have flown by.  It is indeed almost Christmas Time!  Time to get out the Tree, decorate the home, and kick off the festive season with the Shop Sparta Event!  The Shop Sparta Event will kick off the Christmas Season in Sparta on Friday, Nov. 16, and once again this year will include the non-profit fundraiser.   On Friday, November 16 from 4-8 pm and Saturday, December 1 from 9 – Noon, Sparta will be bustling with shoppers taking advantage of local sales and the 10% fundraiser to their favorite local non-profit group. In 2011, over $800 was donated back to local community groups just through the 10% back program.  Organizers hope to increase that number  helping both local merchants and local non profits during the Christmas season.

Shop Sparta Event – Nov 16 & Dec 1

If you do find yourself enjoying the sales during the Shop Sparta Events, bring in a Shop Sparta Event postcard found here or in local merchants to the participating merchants and earn 10% of your purchase price back to the nonprofit group of your choice.  This event has quickly become a favorite to kick off the Christmas season with trolley rides, cocoa and treats, and traditional downtown atmosphere of shoppers strolling down the sidewalk looking for Christmas gifts for friends and family at their local hometown merchants.  A complete list of merchant sales and incentives are listed below!

Non-Profit Fundraiser Merchants

Shopat these participating merchants, Give a Shop Sparta Event card to the cashier with the participating organization name, and Earn 10% of your total purchase price back to the non-profit group!

The Barkery Pet Grooming

Free homemade dog treats w/$5 purchase

Momber Pharmacy

25% off all regularly priced gift items

Fifteen East Salon & Boutique

Perfect “10″: $10 off haircuts, color, massage & 10% off Salon products!

Jacobsen’s Floral & Greenhouse

30% off silk arrangements & 15% off seasonal giftware!

The Back Shop

Buy three 60 min or 90 min deep tissue or hot stone massages & get 1 free!

Maddie LaRou’s Shakers & Breakers

The whole family should stop in for lunch or dinner!

Mel Trotter Ministries Thrift Store

50% off storewide!

Jimmy O’s

Free hot cocoa with any purchase!

Dollar N More

The place to find Christmas decorations, secret Santa gifts, & stocking stuffers!

Downtown Trini’s & Margarita Joe’s

Buy $25 in gift certificates, get $30!

Slimmin’ For Women

5 Day free pass workout & 30 min massage bed only $10!

Angela’s Italian Restaurant

Buy $25 in gift certificates, get $30!

Big Joe’s Bar & Grille

Buy $25 in gift certificates, get $30!

Michigan Beer Cellar

Stop in for some holiday CHEER!

The Club Fitness & Tanning

20% off any Fit or Tan Package!

Rogers Hardware

Free gift with qualifying Carhartt Purchase!

Valid only on Shop Sparta Event dates at participating merchants.  Not valid on all purchases, some exclusions apply, contact the merchant for specific details. Participating Non-profit groups are listed online at http://www.spartachamber.com or http://www.ChristmasinSparta.com.   Not all merchants will be open on Saturday, Dec. 1st to participate.

Other Holiday Events & Sales on Nov. 16!

Visit these merchants for their Shop Sparta Event sales & other Christmas Cheer!

Sparta United Methodist Church

Free Cookies & Hot Cocoa!

Sparta TWSP Historic Commission

Pick up Alumni T-shirts, Sparta History Books, Christmas Cards, & Football History Book! (New Office at 71 N. Union )

The Coffee Shop

Buy one drink, get one 1/2 off!

ChoiceOne Bank

Stop in for extended lobby hours & bring in gifts for free gift wrapping!

Meadowlark Retirement Home

Visit us & enter to win a $50 gift card!

Hessel-Cheslek Funeral Home

Hot Cocoa & Treats while waiting for the Trolley!

Creative One Gallery

Explore breathtaking, one-of-a-kind  collections created in America!