Potsdam shoppers to be treated to freebies, specials at Saturday and Sunday's Super Holiday Weekend

POTSDAM – Holiday shoppers in Potsdam will be treated to a few extra freebies and specials this Saturday and Sunday as the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce celebrates its Super Holiday Weekend.

Chamber Director Marylee Ballou said 27 businesses are participating in this year’s event, designed to remind consumers that local merchants are ready to serve them during the holiday season.

“All of the businesses participating are offering something. There are sales, specials, activities, open houses and drawings,” Ballou said. “It’s a nice way to support businesses in Potsdam.”

As their gift to the community, the chamber is sponsoring a Merry Tuba Christmas concert at the Potsdam United Methodist Church on Sunday at 4 p.m. Attendees will be encouraged to sing along to holiday favorites at the free event. Donations are being accepted for the Potsdam Holiday Fund.

A small brass ensemble will also be playing holiday tunes as they travel from business to business in downtown Potsdam Saturday, including Julian’s Restaurant, C.O.R.C. and the Potsdam Museum.

Customers can also enter to win $150 in gift certificates while visiting any of the participating locations.

Ballou said the businesses enjoy getting creative with their promotions. Julian’s is holding a holiday cocktail making class on Saturday, the Potsdam Agway will offer photos with Santa Paws for pets and their families both days, and the Potsdam Food Co-op will hold a baking contest on Sunday.

She also reminds customers that street parking in downtown Potsdam is free for the month of December.

Businesses participating are:

St. Lawrence Chocolates, 4 Main St., chocolate samples Saturday & Sunday, chocolate tours Saturday 11:30 a.m., 1:30, 3:30 p.m.; Potsdam Food Co-op, 24 Elm St., 10 percent discount Saturday and Sunday; T&R Wines and Liquors, SeaComm Plaza, wine tasting Saturday, 1-3 p.m.; Northern Music & Video, 29 Market St., SuperMusic Sunday sales, noon-4 p.m.; Potsdam Agway, photos with Santa Paws, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Stewarts Shops, 79 Market St., eggnog and apple juice samples, 50 cents off single cones; North Country Neighbors, 6 Main St., Saturday open house; Cheshire Cat, 78 Market St., enter drawing for a gift certificate, Saturday and Sunday, Cat specials, Sunday noon to 3 p.m.; Misty Hollow, 22 Market St., free candy cane, $1 Christmas bags, $1 boxed holiday cards; C.O.R.C. Thrift Store, 8 Willow St., drawing for a gift basket filled with local items, Tuba Christmas 1 p.m. Saturday.

Carol Lee Shoppe, 69 Market St., holiday fashion specials; Best Friends Thrift Store, 8 Raymond Ave., drawing for $50 gift certificate; Building Blocks Day Care, 68 Lawrence Ave., Christmas bazaar, Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Willow Tree Florist, 7580 U.S. Hwy. 11, holiday open house, refreshments, 10-50 percent off selected items, Christmas centerpiece drawing, wreath and kissing ball classes; Foxy Roxy’s, 124 Market St., drawing for $25 gift certificate; Friends of Potsdam Library, Civic Center, book sale, Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday $3 bag sale 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Happy Daze, 6 Market St., $5 off any Liquid Blue shirt; Julian’s Restaurant, 38 Market St., Saturday brunch and photos with Santa, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., holiday cocktail making and food pairing event, 4-6 p.m.; The Hookah House, 16 Market St., $1 off any specialty bowl; Purple Rice, 20 Elm St., Saturday, enter drawing for basket of goodies.

The World Artisan, 1/2 Main St., open house, refreshments, 10-50 percent off selected items; Living Waters Christian Store, coffee and donuts all day Saturday, 15 percent off all inventory, specials; Potsdam Museum, Civic Center, holiday open house, Sunday, 5:30 p.m., music by Potsdam High Jazz Band, refreshments, opening of Ice Cold Potsdam exhibit; Argent’s, 32 Market St., 20 percent off entire inventory Saturday; The Alchemistress, 17 Maple St., 50 percent off jewelry sale; Little Italy, 30 Market St., free 1/2 dozen knots with purchase of gift certificate, no sales tax on subs and wraps; Today’s Hair & Day Spa, 36 Market St., $10 off one-hour massage, discounts on Christmas spa packages, sales; Purple Rice, 20 Elm St., Saturday drawing for a basket of goodies; Ostrander’s Sheepskin Shop, 1675 St. Hwy. 68, holiday open house and sale, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., refreshments; The Frame Mill, 13 Maple St., drawing for a framed print, gift basket, and a purse, 15 percent off any framing order.