30 Years of Strolling: A Window Into Why the Sport Stop Loves Christmas Stroll
The windows of downtown businesses transform around Christmas Stroll time, providing not just a peek into those businesses, but into the creativity and imagination of their owners and staff.
The Sport Stop has been a regular participant in the Stroll since its inception in 1995, and has been a frequent competitor and occasional winner in the Stroll’s annual lighting and decorating contest, taking home prizes for displays ranging from a Santa Claus-driven cookie train in 2021 to a yeti-filled winter wonderland in 2017.
But for Sport Stop Manager Roger Martinez, the magic of the competition is not in the winning, but in fostering a festive spirit that lasts all through the season.
“We appreciate the festive atmosphere throughout the stores, particularly the creative window displays,” Martinez said. “These displays serve to encourage other businesses to create their own unique Christmas window presentations.”
Below, Martinez shares a bit about how Stroll is “an exceptional method for initiating the holiday shopping season.”
Why has your business been a longtime supporter of Christmas Stroll?
As a long-standing supporter of the Christmas Stroll, we find it to be an exceptional method for initiating the holiday shopping season. It fosters community engagement within the downtown shopping district.
Do you have a favorite Christmas Stroll theme?
Our preferred Christmas theme for window displays has been the Nutcracker. (Editor’s Note: The theme of the 2014 Stroll was “Sugar Plum Stroll.”) We incorporated music and a captivating display featuring ballerinas in the window.
How has participating in Christmas Stroll benefitted your business?
Participating in the Christmas Stroll has significantly benefited our business on the event night. We typically welcome between three to four hundred visitors to our store, showcasing our offerings. This exposure often leads to return visits for holiday shopping in the following days. We also value the opportunity to witness the joyful expressions of children as they pass through our shop, and we take pleasure in assisting customers in finding the perfect gifts for their loved ones.
