Stocked and designed with New York City in mind, the Mistletoe Holiday Market is scheduled to open today, Nov. 11 on Main Street. Housed in a white tent with windows – so you can see the glitz from the outside – the market is a project of All About You Monograms and is owned by Lisa Lang.

 

It was an idea which started with a notion and snowballed into a festive retail experience.

 

“People come into the store (About You Monograms) and say we should add on, but we didn’t want to take away from the historical value of the building. We thought about building something beside the building, but that takes away from the aesthetics of downtown,” Lang said.

 

A market tent seemed to be the ideal solution and she already had a vision.

 

“We go to New York City every year, once the holiday markets are up,” Lang said. “There are lights in the parking lots and live trees and there’s such a festive atmosphere.”

 

In late-summer, the lot between the store and the Lloyd Lang Bridge was measured and the tent was ordered and in mid-October it was up.

 

She already had some items stocked and ordered for the holiday season and she ordered more – fun, affordable, unique gift items.

 

“We have ornaments and other holiday decorations, textiles, hand soaps, fun little candies, signature candles, cute Christmas pajamas, Queens Jewels jeweled glassware and some unique little kids’ toys,” Lang said. 

 

Sure to be popular are items featuring the city’s name and even some showcasing a sketched likeness of Bridgeport’s Light Up Night.

Featured inside the market is a six-foot Santa. Outside, it will be just as festive. Christmas trees sparkling lights will be the perfect backdrop for photos with Santa, which will be available on a date to be announced. 

 

Lang is happy with how her vision has come to life in such a short timeframe. It’s not only a fun, unique shopping experience, but also a safe environment.

 

The Mistletoe Holiday Market will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and thereafter throughout the holiday season: 10-2 Saturday, 10-5 Tuesday through Thursday and 10-4 Friday. The About You Monograms store is open during those same hours.