Celebrate Columbus: Inside the Short North Holiday Hop and Easton Town Center's Holiday Happenings

Dive into Columbus' favorite holiday traditions! Get tips on how to experience the Hop's exciting offerings this year, the history of this well-loved event and more from Betsy Pandora, Short North Alliance Executive Director. Then, get an insider’s peek on what to see and do at Easton Town Center for the holidays with the family from Marketing Director Emily Garvey and Sr. Brand Experience Manager Meredith Leighton.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Live Fun. Experienced Columbuses Live FordLive podcast introduces you to a new frontier
of undiscovered possibility. Columbus is acity with an energy of its own.
Join Boxer, Kelsey and their guestsfor an insider's look at a destination that

(00:25):
invites visitors and locals alike to shareand explore. We'll go behind the scenes
of popular attractions, uncover best keptsecrets for things to see and do,
and meet people who embody what itmeans to live forward. Welcome to the
holiday season. I am Boxer alongwith Kelsey, your host for a special

(00:45):
holiday episode of Live Forward Live.This is an Experienced Columbus podcast, and
today we're excited to have with usBetsy Pandora. Betsy, wait, you
hear about some of the special powersthat she has, but I'll say I'll
save that first say, Betsy iswell, I'm a gadget guy, and
oh you can really do that amazinganyway. Betsy Pandora is the executive director

(01:07):
of the Short North Alliance and ofcourse our showcase is celebrating Columbus during the
wonderful magic time of the year betweenthe activities, attractions, just all the
ways the Columbus community celebrates the holidayseason. Betsy, First of all,
welcome, Thank you so much forhaving me today and for talking about my
favorite time of the year in Columbus. I'm so glad you said that.

(01:30):
So, you know, when you'reover the Short North alliance, I would
think that there'd be a lot ofstress there's especially getting ready for the holiday
season, but you seem ampt andexcited and nothing gets to you. Sure,

(01:51):
Oh is this a podcast or therapyby surprise? So how this time
of the year though certainly magical forthe Short North, right, I mean,
the Short North is is Columbus's neighborhood. It is the art and soul
of our city, like we liketo say, it is you know,

(02:15):
where everybody I think comes to celebrate, and is the space in our community,
the true open and public community spacethat we have in Columbus. It
is in many ways is like ourour small big town center, right or
our big small town center, howeveryou would say it. But the Short
Earth has such an incredible history withinour city, and it is a place

(02:36):
in space where small businesses, someof the most iconic businesses in Columbus have
grown and incubated. It's a placewhere art and artists come to make their
work and celebrate their work. Andit is just it's just the energy and
the pulse and and the true heartbeatof our city. So whether it's the
you know, the the dead heatof summer, or whether it's the holiday

(03:00):
season, excitement it bounds there andyou're of course right to want to talk
about that excitement today, absolutely,Betsy, Before we go any further,
what what is the Short North Alliance. We're a nonprofit organization that provides support
and services to businesses and property ownersin general constituents of the Short North Arts
District. There are over three hundreddynamic businesses on High Street in the Short

(03:22):
North. Some of them are areyou know, what you would think of
as traditional retailers or not so traditionalretailers, incredible places to eat, amazing
independent art galleries that showcase literally thousandsof artists. But it's more than that.
We have incredible service providers, wehave performing arts groups, and we

(03:44):
have more than just the ground floor. There's, you know, believe it
or not, still a lot ofpeople that have their offices on High Street
in this post pandemic world, andso we really are an incredible concentration of
the very best of Columbus, andwe talk about the history of the Short
North. Tell me some facts,you know, the Short North. I

(04:04):
think it has been just a keypiece of our community's identity. I mean,
I think when people think about justwhat's what's the to use a word,
the brand of Columbus, what's thewhat you know, how do you
define Columbus, you sort of dothat on High Street and the Short North.
You know, we have an incredibleset of business based experiences there.

(04:27):
We have the amazing Convention Center rightwhere people are constantly filtering in for great
and exciting things to do new orotherwise in Columbus. But we're perfectly situated
between OSU and downtown, and youknow, are just an incredibly old part
of the city that has I think, such importance to people. And Columbus
is a I think a young city, right, relatively young city, and

(04:51):
we have a lot of people inColumbus that are from other places. And
I feel like, whether you arelike me, born born in the Short
North, born and raised in columnstayed in Columbus, or you are like
someone else who has just shown uphere for their education, just shown up
here for their job just shown uphere because we continue to grow and surpass

(05:11):
all of the stats. As toto what makes this place amazing? You
always touch the Short North. Yeah, it is. It is the street
that everybody converges upon. So youknow, there's there's so much uniqueness to
it and and it is a Itcertainly holds a special place in my heart.
Betsy Pandora's with the executive director ofthe Short North Alliance. You said

(05:31):
something that was just amazing that Iwas going to ask you anyway, but
now that we know you, soyou you are over the Short North Alliance,
but you were born in the ShortNorth. Was that's amazing? But
under an arch, in a backalley under an arch that was a good
one too. That's mean. Soyou know, I think about when I

(05:54):
landed in town here over twenty yearsago, and I remember and we all
know the changes in the Short North. Yeah, how does that make?
What do you think about all thechanges? I mean I would say that's
typical. Yeah, it's typical.I mean the Short North community has evolved
decade to decade as the entire cityhas evolved decade to decade. I mean,
I'm old enough to remember you know, going to the continent and north

(06:17):
Land Mall and you know, adifferent version of our city, right,
And I think what is the oneconstant in the Short North community is that
it will continue to evolve. Andwhatever is the spirit or the ethos of
our entire city at that time,we espouse. Your vocabulary is amazing.

(06:38):
Sorry, I don't feel worthy.I'm just gonna quit now. Radio people
don't know what this means. Betsy'sshe's a few levels above me. Well,
let's so you would ask a questionabout history, and then you had
asked a question about you know,the arches, and I think, you
know, there's there is a uniquenessto the way in which we celebrate Columns's

(07:00):
history in the Short North. SoColumbus was known as the Arch City,
and you know, in traditional fashion, right, the city in eighteen eighty
eight wanted to do an amazing projectthat made it memorable, and so it
put wooden gas lit arches all overdowntown Columbus, not in the area that
was the Short North, but allover downtown Columbus. And literally Columbus became
known as the Arch City because ofthis investment. And so when we were

(07:25):
designing a placemaking project. Now almosttwenty five years ago, we decided to
replicate that and bring that back,and so that's why there are those arches
all over High Street in the ShortNorth that have become really i think iconic
to us and are sort of definingas our community's identity, but they're really
about the entire city's identity. Agreedwith that, you know, as we

(07:46):
dive into the holiday season, forthose that haven't been down to the Short
North for this time of the year, what are some of the can't miss
experiences for the holidays for the ShortNorth well all season long. We have
two really fun experiences that our businesscommunity is offering versus the Short North Arts
District Holiday Trail. So there arenearly one hundred businesses that are participating.

(08:07):
If you make a purchase at anyone of those businesses, make up to
three purchases, you can get afree hot beverage from north Star or Roaming
Goat, whether it's a latte,a coffee, or a hot cider.
And so we have cards that aredistributed throughout the community and you can fill
those cards with stickers for your purchasesand then take those over to those two
businesses to get that special treat.We also have businesses that are trying to

(08:31):
make it fun for kids this holidayseason, so we also have the short
North Arts District Elf Trail, soI like it. There's quite a few
businesses that are hiding elves on shelvesand if you want to scour the shelves
for the elves kids are kids atheart. You can get the same offer
where if you collect a sticker forevery elf that you find up to three

(08:52):
of them, you can take thoseover to North Star and Roaming Goat and
get a special treat from us.But truly then not to be missed is
Holiday Hop and Holiday Hop is reallya legendary tradition. Gallery Hop is something
that has occurred in our community foralmost forty years now wow. And it's
where the first Saturday of each month, our community comes together to celebrate art
and started mid eighties, is awayfor collective art openings to take place,

(09:18):
but it's really become an open housefor the entire community. And Holiday Hop
is the biggest gallery Hop of theyear. It's this Saturday, December second
this year, but we're going reallybig this year and this is the first
year where we will be shutting downHigh Street to vehicular traffic during Holiday Hop

(09:39):
and we are inviting the Columbus communityto take over the street and we're transforming
it into a holiday wonderland. That'samazing. It's the rest of its kind,
Betsy, from where to where areyou shutting down High Street? So,
folks that know the shorten Arch geography, the hard closures will be between
Russell and West Second Avenue. They'llbe breaks in the street to allow vehicular
accessibility to our four lar public parkinggarages. So parking is awesome in the

(10:03):
Short North and there will be plentyof it, and certainly you will be
able to access garage parking or streetparking too, but it will be really
really special, and we're doing somefun activities in the street. We're partnering
with an amazing creative organization called MatchmakersMatchmaker's Market who's going to be helping us
curate some fun holiday vendors to haveon the street, so you can literally

(10:26):
shop a street fair market throughout aholiday Hop. And then our businesses are
taking over the sidewalks, so they'llbe setting up in front of each of
their locations and whether you're searching forthe perfect gift, or you're wanting to
do a special tasting, or you'rewanting to make a wreath, or you're
wanting to have a photo with theman from up North, or you're wanting

(10:48):
to purchase a holiday tree, oryou're wanting to just see incredible sights and
sounds and hear carols and other funperformances and experiences. We are transforming the
street for holiday hop and it reallywill be the place to be the day.
Wow, Betsy, you you letus in on something before we started
the interview that on your phone youcontrol the lights on the arches. Me

(11:09):
and me alone. No, ourteam, we have the ability to program
the short urches. Yeah, andso yes, it is true. I
was not trying to impress you thatI could. Oh I'm impressed. But
with the flick of a switch,we can. We can make them pink,
we can make them blue, wecan make them whatever color you desire.
But what is fun for our holidayseason is all season long, there

(11:30):
are custom light shows that are playingon the arches, and it is it's
just a piece of magic. It'sit's a little piece of magic that we
have in Columbus that just makes itfun. To be in that environment and
to experience our community. So canI ask where your phone is? I
am it on silent right now?Get in so it's locked. No,

(11:50):
you can't change the lights. BetsyFandoras with this, executive director of The
Shortener of Alliance, this week's gueston Live Forward, Live and Experienced Columbus
Podcast, our Holiday edition. Betsy, you rattled off so many amazing things
your passion. I have to askyou, and I'm gonna ask you to

(12:11):
focus, like laser focus in onone thing. Do you have a favorite
thing with the holiday season with theShort North. You know, I'm not
allowed to pick favorites, okay,I you know, it's like trying to
choose, you know, in anunfair way, right, you know,
But what I would say is thecommunal experience being able to connect with your

(12:33):
neighbors and your friends new and olddirectly on High Street. You know,
the Short North is that place wherethe Columbus community just comes together and they
do it in fun and creative ways. And so I think that that is
that exponential aspect of our community isjust unmatched, and that's probably my absolute
favorite thing. Would you say thecharm and the short North. To add

(12:56):
what you just said, that's oneof the appealing things about why I will
go down there for different events orthe gallery hop, you know, for
most of the year. But it'sit's the charm and you could feel the
energy too. I think it's ashort and North. I think it's the
charm, and I think it's theconnection. And I think post COVID,
now more than ever, our liveshave been completely upended and transformed. I

(13:16):
mean, where people choose to work, for example, is vastly different than
it was prior to twenty twenty.Yeah, and what really matters to people
is being able to connect now.And I think that whether it's holiday season
and the Short North or where it'swhether it's any day of the week and
the Short North, we are aplace where people have those connections and it

(13:39):
is the special aspect of what ourcommunity offers. Yeah, Betsy, outside
of the Short North, where doyou enjoy going in Columbus? Well,
I am a mom of a threeyear old, so she's usually agenda setting
for us. We're big We're bigfans of parks, We're big fans of
Kosai, We're big fans of Wsuhas an incredible family experience. So you

(14:03):
know, those are things that weenjoy doing. But you know, the
Short North is a special place tome and I certainly spend an outside share
of my time there. Do youlive there, I do not know.
I do not. I think it'sjust gonna I think it's good to have
a little separation. I think itis, but you know it is.
It is such a special part ofthe community. And we are growing.
I mean in terms of our residentialpopulation, we are just growing. All

(14:26):
of Columbus is growing. Yeah,it's residential population, you know, outside
of the Short North. Because becauseI know you love the Short North,
you have a lot of history personallywith the Short North. But are there
other pockets, other areas around Columbusthat are a go to for you and
the family when it comes to theholiday season? You know, I think
that German Village does some really specialthings for the holidays. I think downtown

(14:46):
Columbus does too. I think thewhole urban core of Columbus is it is
just so unique, and I thinkthat's what we really love. Any favorite
memories of past holiday seasons, ColumbusChristmases, you know, I mean,
as a kid who grew up inColumbus. You can't not recall what City

(15:07):
Center Mall was like during the holidayseason. I mean, like that's it's
such a it's a dated reference,but like it is, it is such
a moment in time in my pastas a kid growing up here. But
really for me, like my family'smemories, no hyperbole, like we would
always go to holiday hop like itwas a special tradition for us and continues

(15:31):
to be a special tradition for usas a kid growing up and now with
my kid. You know, it'sfunny you say city Center because you go
down there now, which is nowColumbus Commons, and it is it's special
with what they do for the holidayseason down there and decorating, but to
know what it once was, butto make it into a green space,

(15:52):
and it's it's nice and peaceful.But I know what you're saying, but
it's it's pretty nice. It's aprofound transformation, and it is such a
successful transformation. And certainly there's youknow, exciting things that are taking place
throughout every corner of our city forthe holidays, and I think that's what's
so special about Columbus. You know, Columbus is ranked very highly for events
and festivals. Yeah, one ofthe top places in the country where you

(16:15):
can go experience something. So itchecks out that there's lots to do during
the holiday season. But we are, We're a pretty special place with a
lot of great experiences. Just likethat. I have a great holiday season,
Betsy. Thanks, I can't waitto see you at Holiday hop.
Welcome back to a very special holidaypodcast of Live Forward, Live and Experienced

(16:37):
Columbus podcast. I'm one of thehosts Boxer along with Kelsey. Welcome back
again Festive looking very festive on yourplaid. No, but our guest today
they have on their velvet. Iknow they're ready satteen Emerald Green. They're
totally ready for the holidays. Youknow, when I think of all places
to celebrate Columbus, and especially forthe holidays seasons, there's nothing like taking

(17:00):
a stroll at Easton Town Center.And this specific podcast again is celebrating Columbus,
showcasing the wonderful activities of course,attractions, unique markets, and all
the ways the Columbus community celebrates thiswonderful holiday season. I want to bring
in and welcome Emily Garvey who isthe Eastern Marketing Director and Meredith Leyton,

(17:22):
who's the Eastern town Center senior managerof brand Experience. So, Emily and
Meredith, welcome to the podcast.Thanks for having us and this in your
first timers too. But there's nothingto be nervous about. We're going to
have so much fun. Can Ijust say that, you guys, considering
it's the holiday season, you lookvery fresh faced. Considering I can't mention

(17:44):
you've gotten a lot of sleep.Is there a lot of stress on you?
I mean, how you feeling rightnow? We're feeling really excited.
Actually, it's going to be agreat week and the countdown is on to
this Friday. The countdown is certainlyon the Grand Illumination in Santa right light
and'll arrive at the Grand Illumination.Yeah, yeah, all of our lights
will turn on and over two million. Is there one person who's responsible for

(18:07):
turning on the lights? Team effort? Yeah, plug is the plugs.
There's there's definitely a lot of elvesworking yea to organize all the lights turning
on collectively. A lot of elveswith like walkie talkies or something or what.
Yeah, yeah, I figures.Yeah, So let's dive into this

(18:30):
a little bit. I know,Meredith said, two million lights. That's
a tremendous undertaking. When and wewere talking before we started recording about I
mean there are some of your staffthat are working twenty four to seven with
this, right the lights. Yes, yeah, so we have all shifts
for a second third shift working ontracery lights. They actually started in July,

(18:51):
so between building lights, tree lights, we take them off throughout the
spring to let them bud appropriately.Come July we start kicking off the holiday
season behind the scenes. Is itlike it is when you take the lights
out of your box at home anda certain string isn't working, And does
the same thing happen at Easton withthese people? Kind of? So they
actually have to replace every individual ballthat's out. So I don't think it

(19:11):
affects the whole strand, but youhave to go up on a roof and
look at every single one. There'sunder love and care, there a lot
of it. Sure. Wow,I want to know, are both of
you bankrupt? Because see, ifI was affiliated with Easton, I have
an issue. Yeah, there'd belike I need a one eight hundred number.
Yeah. No, there's definitely alot of willpower every day when we're

(19:33):
out on property and all the greatretailers we have. I bet there is.
We'll look before we get into alot of what you have planned for
the holiday season at Easton. Emily, let's start with you. Ironically,
we met for the first time nottoo long ago. You're the Easton Town
Center marketing director. What's your background? You actually haven't been there very long?
No, I haven't. Actually mybackground is in real estate marketing and

(19:56):
have lived in Columbus for just abouttwenty five years and spent the majority of
it here actually in the Arena districtworking for a real estate developer, but
have been with Eastern town Center sinceApril of this year and loving every minute.
Was that quite? Was that difficultgoing from what you were doing with
real estate to Easton when you're talkingabout retail and shopping? No, actually,

(20:18):
actually know. There are a lotof similarities, a lot of synergies,
but definitely retail is more up myalley, So I feel at home
for sure. Yeah. So,Meredith Laton about you? You're the Easton
town Centers Senior manager of brand Experienceand can I can I tell everyone a
fun fact that I learned. Idon't know if you heard this or not.
Meredith used to intern with iHeartMedia.What department? Oh my gosh's two

(20:45):
appearances? No, no sign hangingyou missed out? Well? Where are
you from? Meredith? Originally fromMichigan, but I have to say that
I'm an Ohio State fan. Mymom went there so born or used a
Buckeye. But I ended up atEaston as an intern in twenty thirteen and

(21:06):
I've been there ever since. Mybackground is Easton. Yeah, came on
full time in twenty fourteen. Didyou know when you were an intern that
eventually would turn into what you're doingnow? You clearly you must have fallen
in love with it at one point. Yeah, yes, and no.
I think I think my job hasmorphed throughout the years. It was heavy
in marketing and events at the beginningand kind of went more to events and

(21:27):
brand experience, and now it's it'sa full basket of all of those marketing,
brand experience events, really kind ofevery touch point at Easton when someone's
on property, what they're seeing,smelling, feeling, all of that jazz.
So I think it's it's morphed intosomething that I couldn't have imagined.
But I'm happy with where it's landed. Yeah, you've said something and not

(21:47):
to get into you know what,we talked about it earlier, but in
a meeting we recently have. Onething that I walked away with is something
that you guys said, is it'snot about quantity, like if we do
an event, it's not about havingthe masses. It's about how we touched
each individual person. And I thought, wow, that's that's incredible to hear

(22:07):
because usually it's number count. Wewant numbers, we want to pack this
place. But you described it asmore of an emotional thing to walk away
with. I thought that was interesting. Yeah, yeah, I mean we've
got really great leadership honestly, that'salways encouraged that from Eastern opening in nineteen
ninety nine, and I think that'sjust kind of woven into what is East
and what the Eastern experience is.Certainly want you to come and shop and
enjoy, but we also want youto come out and see the holiday lights

(22:30):
and all the trees we have onproperty and just experience that connection with your
family and loved ones. Speaking oftell us about all the events we can
expect in some of the new stufftoo this year. Yeah, So we
have quite a few holiday happenings unfoldingat Easton with grand Illumination, we will
have a variety of other elements fromcarriage rides, a Santa bar crawl.

(22:53):
Oh I like, and you know, even just the day to day festivities
that some of our retail will havein their shops. And I love that
Easton has become such a place whereyou bring your family and you can shop,
and then the night life has justexploded, you know, like there's
a speakeasy and there's the restoration hardwarerooftop, and I mean you can totally

(23:18):
make a great night out and aboutat Easton Town Center. Yeah, especially
when you spoke to our yard areawhere yeah pins as well a sample of
bars and restaurants, then brewery,local brewery. So I really want to
live there, So I too.This year for my tenth anniversary present for

(23:41):
with my husband, my family gotme a stay at the Hilton and a
gift certificate to Easton just for mebut not my husband to myself. Very
nice, yes, and I alreadydid it. So I went and I
spent the night at Easton, andI got up in the morning and shopped
till I dropped and ate at NorthStar two times for lunch and dinner.
Wow. Yeah, so really likeit's my fantasy to just stay at Easton

(24:04):
and not leave. Maybe I'll retirethere. That's a great what a great
gift by Okay, that's why you'rethe right people too. Yeah, I
mean so it has everything you needwhere what a story. By the way,
I was not expecting that, Kelsey, I'm very self lovey. Thank
you. This is the special ColumbusCelebration Celebrate Columbus podcast for the holidays.

(24:27):
We Live, Forward, Live andExperience Columbus podcast. Emily Garvey and Meredith
Leyton, both from Easton with usright now. We're talking about the holiday
season at Easton. Emily, maybeyou first, because you're newer. What
are you most excited about looking forwardto with some of the events with Easton.
Is there specifically one that you're excitedabout? I know you touched on

(24:48):
it earlier. No, I thinkreally I'm most excited about just getting in
the holiday spirit and seeing everyone outon property. I'm having a good time.
As Meredith was saying, we haveso much to do, from dining,
shopping, just strolling to see thelights. It's going to be a
really great Yeah. Meredith, obviouslyyou've been there a while now to experience
some of this. Is there onething you get most excited about with the

(25:11):
holidays at Easton? I think beingbehind the scenes of it all. Sometimes
you kind of you get used tothe day to day activities and you see
it at night and every year everyyear, like the lighting of the tree
and everything is just it's a differentexperience every time. I think it's so
cool to be a part of thatjoy that people see, or those memories
and traditions that people make, andjust watching everyone the night of and throughout

(25:33):
the season, just enjoying themselves andcoming to Easton, It doesn't really get
old. Just to be a partof the behind the scenes magic that's putting
that on is really a privilege.Yeah, you know, Kelsey, you
had touched on it a little bitearlier. With the families coming to Easton,
I can relate with that. Butwhether it's a family an individual who
really hasn't experienced Easton, let alonethe holidays, any suggestions on what they

(25:56):
should check out? Meredith, whatdo you think first? There's a lot
to check out. I mean,certainly come shop. We have a variety
of different stores for everyone of allages. A lot of family friendly activities
that you can do. We haveour four trees on properties, so we
have two that are thirty feet,one that's twenty feet, and then our
fifty foot one at the town Squareand that one does shows every five minutes

(26:17):
every day from a while eleven.So it's an animated tree, It has
sounds, it has lights, almostthirty thousand bulbs on that so that's pretty
cool. What else to check out, I mean truly everything. We have
a couple of holiday tenants, theEmily. Yeah, we have two new
Papa holiday tenants this year. Santa'sOrnaments will be returning to get your custom
ornaments that so many love to do. And then we also have Mellow,

(26:41):
which is a local women owned minoritybusiness that has very high end candies and
marshmallows, all things of that nature. So we're very excited to have Mellow.
Back to when both of you arenot on the clock and not at
Easton, what do you enjoy todo around Columbus for the holidays and just

(27:02):
anytime. That's a great question,Kelsey. I would say I really love
just kind of exploring off the beatenpath and discovering something New I have two
little kids, and when we're notbusy, I like to just take them
out and about, whether that's toget coffee on the weekend or go to
the zoo. We love the zoo, and really just taking all the lights,

(27:26):
I will say, around the holidays, Columbus does it right. So
there's so much to see, Yeah, I think so. I have a
dog and I love to take himto local trails and parks, so thoroughly
enjoy that. But otherwise, Ithink a lot of the suburbs and in
the downtown area have grown so muchin different ways, and there's so much
to explore, so you can spendI think, various weekends at each area,

(27:47):
and they all have events going onnow, whether it's a food truck
festival or a tree lighting of somesort. So I think just really exploring
and continue continuing to explore Columbus isreally great. You know, obviously this
podcast overall, every one we do, every episode is highlighting the charm and
an amazing city that Columbus has tooffer and all the things that Columbus has

(28:07):
to offer. But you know,when you think about the holiday season and
Columbus, what do you think makesit so special. You both have been
here for long enough. Now,what do you think it is? I
think it's just the community. Ithink Columbus is truly such a dynamic city,
constantly growing and evolving, and it'sjust it's what's kept me here as

(28:30):
long as I've been and I thinkthat that's just that we're the heart of
it. Yeah, Meredith, Iwould actually agree with that. I think
not growing up here and now beinga member of the Columbus community, there's
so much to do and I thinkyou realize that every time you go out
somewhere. So whether it's new orthis or that, the Columbus Commons is
really beautiful. I love their lights, Yes, again, all the all

(28:52):
the intricacies that you see, thedetails that go into the holiday season,
whether it's at Easton or elsewhere.Just looking at the lights and seeing what's
out there is really fun. Andyou can get to any of them so
easily. You know, you cantake it in and and not be stressed
out about it. You know,you know you're gonna go and have a
wonderful time. You know. Itjust popped into my head. Outside of
wild lights, what I wonder whatthe electricity bill is for East and town

(29:15):
Center round the holidays. Something wedon't we don't like don't work an accounting
for a reason, but they areLED's so we can Okay, well,
there you go, Energy Savers.Sure, that's incredible. I know you
talked about some of the work Merediththat that starts in July. Is there
anything that is this stand age allyear round with prepping for the holidays or

(29:40):
do you just get started in thesummer. Is it you have it nailed
down? I think idy eating reallykind of happens all year long. I
mean, holiday is always a constantin the back of your head, and
so anytime you have an idea,you kind of just blob it out there
and see if it sticks. Wereally this year for the Santa Space,
our North Pole came together in September, so we didn't have a specific location
for that. That really kind ofcame together over the past two months,

(30:02):
very very quickly. And when yougo and see that, there's there's a
lot of a lot of decore elementsand where is it this? Yeah,
so it's the North Pole, whichis located on the North District across from
Tiffany and Company, so near kenderScott. Oh. Yeah, right across
from the Central Park fountains. Sookay, so I know in years past
when you think about the and forgiveme if I get it wrong, the
main building, the main atrium,thank you say so is there anything in

(30:27):
there like in years past? Sowe have a lot of hanging to core
elements and there are a couple ofpoints out A tree or Salvation Army tree
will also be there right well,and just outside of that will also be
partnering with Nash White Children's Hospital andGreat Butterfly this week as well. Oh
that's wonderful because I know in yearspast that's where you used to be able

(30:51):
to see Santa, right, butyou now Santa has moved, like you
said, yeah, he's moved allaround throughout the years, but we found
a really cozy spot from this yearand our excited to show it off.
Yes, oh that's fantastic. Youknow. For those that want more info
before they venture out to Easton,where do you suggest they go? Your
your website app? What do yousuggest? I would suggest they go to

(31:12):
Eastontowncenter dot com or visit us onour social channels Eastontown Center or Easton Town
CTR. Visit us on Instagram orFacebook as well well. I can't thank
you enough for being here, EmilyGarvey and Meredith Leyton, wishing you both
a happy and safe holiday season andthat you get through this in one piece.

(31:32):
I'm only kidding, no, Iknow you'll be busy, but what
a magical time of the year tobe part of Easton. So thank you
so much. Absolutely, thank you, Live On, thanks for listening to
Experience Columbuses Live for Live. Forthis podcast and others, go to experiencecolumbus

(31:56):
dot com.