Berlin Main Street Merchants' Pajama Party is Jan. 24-25
Shoppers dressed in PJs enter the Plaid Sheep Company during a previous Pajama Party outing. This year’s event will start Friday night, Jan. 24 and continue Saturday, Jan. 25 in downtown Berlin.
Shoppers willing to brave the winter for some deals need look no further than Berlin Main Street Merchant’s upcoming outing. But there’s a twist: All participants need to wear their pajamas to receive store discounts. The annual Pajama Party is set for Friday, Jan. 24 and Saturday, Jan. 25 in downtown Berlin as a way to give bargain hunters a chance to get out of the house and have some fun, said Janet Flickinger, director of operations.
The festivities will kick off early this year with a bonus pajama party on Friday from 7-9 p.m. at the Holmes Center for the Arts with refreshments, a skit, a PJ-themed fashion show, bingo with prizes and more.
“You just have to be in your PJs to participate,” Flickinger said.
The shopping excursion will start Saturday at 7 a.m. Participating retailers, who are Berlin Main Street Merchants members, will offer discounts to PJ-wearers. Most stores are within walking distance, but others, like the Plaid Sheep Company, are a short drive away.
Shoppers will receive a Pajama Party passport to take with them on their journey. Passports will be handed out Friday night or Saturday at any of the shops involved. Stamps are offered at each outlet with bonus stamps given Friday night for attending and taking part in events.
“It’s just a fun cabin fever type thing,” said Karen Lamb, owner of the Plaid Sheep Company. “People are tired of being in the house and need to get out again.”
Formerly known as Country Craft Cupboard, the Plaid Sheep Company leads the shopping event every year. Lamb started the trend nearly 30 years ago as an inventory reduction sale, and other businesses quickly joined in the fun.
Located in Schrock’s Heritage Village, the Plaid Sheep Company offers fabrics, patterns, handwoven homespuns, wool items and more. This year the store is offering a 40% discount to those dressed in proper attire.
“In fact, I have bouncers at the door, and if (the shopper) doesn’t have pajamas on when they come in, they don’t get the 40% off,” Lamb said.
This year the Plaid Sheep Company is collecting donations for Hope’s House, a foster closet in Kidron. Items such as diapers, formula, and new and gently used toys and clothes are suggested contributions. Donors will receive a coupon to use at a later date.
Lamb enjoys seeing the outfits and hearing stories of friendships formed as a result of the outing.
“Ladies come in throughout the year saying, ‘We’ve got new pajamas for the Pajama Party,’” Lamb said. “Some of them have even told me they’ve made friends with others as they’ve waited in line outside or inside at the register, and now they book (hotel) rooms together.”
Flickinger enjoys seeing everyone dressed up, from the more conservative like herself to those who go all out.
“Some ladies are in curlers; they’ve got their rollers on,” she said. “It’s just fun seeing everybody in jammies and having a good time.”
For more information or to RSVP for Friday’s kickoff party, visit www.visitberlinohio.com/berlin-pajama-party.