Those who enjoy a glass of wine or who want to learn more about the shops of Montrose are invited to the 3rd Annual Holiday Wine Walk taking place on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Montrose Shopping Park.

There will be 25 businesses hosting pouring stations; 24 are listed on the HWW section of the Montrose Shopping Park Association webpage and one new business, Kulhaus, which is moving into the former Landry’s space, will be launching its business with a soft opening on Nov. 9.

“This is the only event we do all year that requires the participating public to go inside our businesses to enjoy the Wine Walk; the only activities on the streets are the live musical groups in each block, the photo op with Santa at check-in, and Santa himself strolling the shopping park,” said Dale Dawson, MSP business administrator/events coordinator. “For that reason – and the fact that there are no street closures – this event is the favorite of many of our merchants.”

The first wine walk was held in spring 2017 and was an immediate hit with merchants. Kris Kline and Kim Kelly own Merle Norman Cosmetics on Honolulu and have participated in every wine walk the shopping park has hosted.

“The first wine walk was so successful that we couldn’t wait to participate in the holiday wine walk in November 2017,” said Kelly. “This has been the most successful event in Montrose for our business. It gets new customers in our shops. Holiday is great because we can showcase our Winter Color collection and gifts. Our shop will be dressed and ready for the holiday party!”

Ticketholders will first stop at the corner of Honolulu Avenue and Ocean View Boulevard to check in and receive a signature wine glass and map to guide them to the various pouring stations. Members of the La Crescenta Woman’s Club will be on hand to welcome them and, for those who haven’t already purchased tickets, will be able to sell tickets to the evening’s festivities. They will also be handing out $10 in Montrose scrip that can be used at any time in the shopping park. Tickets to the Wine Walk are $45 per person in advance, $50 at the door.

“This event is a ‘break even’ for Montrose Shopping Park Association, so the money raised pays for the promotional effort for our stores,” explained Dawson. “Additionally we are co-sponsored by the La Crescenta Woman’s Club, which receives a donation of 15% of ticket sales at each Wine Walk.”

Gigi Garcia, owner of It Takes A Village on Honolulu has also opened her doors for the annual wine walks since the first in spring 2017.

“We participate to meet and greet the community, so the neighbors can meet shop/restaurant owners in a festive non-pressure atmosphere,” said Garcia. “I have been told by many who have attended that they had never walked in to some of the businesses and didn’t know what boutiques sold or brands they carried or what restaurants served until they did the wine walk. Most folks take advantage of the specials we run just for wine walkers and many return as regular customers.”

And inclement weather will not postpone a wine walk.   

“The most fun we have had was during a wine walk rain downpour,” recalled Garcia. “We were worried all day about turnout, but the walkers lingered longer and we had a wonderful time visiting with our wet participants. They did not let rain stop their fun … or ours!”

With an expected 350 to 400 people expected along Honolulu Avenue on the night of Nov. 9, it is advised to buy tickets in advance by visiting www.shopmontrose.com.

And if the lure of friendly merchants and various wines being poured wasn’t enough, many of the merchants offer additional enticements.

“At Merle Norman we give an additional $10 gift certificate plus free samples, great food and wine,” said Kelly. “The wine walk reminds us of what we love about this community. Montrose is the place where everyone knows your name!”