Small Businesses Decorate for 4th Annual Downtown Brainerd Window Walk

The fourth annual Window Walk in downtown Brainerd took place Friday, and more than 20 businesses participated in the festivities.

The Destination Downtown Brainerd Coalition sponsors the Downtown Brainerd Window Walk each year. They strive to create family events for downtown, and the Window Walk is one of their biggest, kicking off the holiday shopping season.

Every year has a different theme. This year’s theme for presented a challenge but brought out the best in creativity.

So, Poinsettia Lane was the winner for this year,” said Holly Holm, Visit Brainerd’s Destination Services Specialist. “I think that it’s been challenging for people, from what I’ve heard from the business owners. They were struggling a little bit, but I think that they stepped up their game and we’ve got some really gorgeous windows out there.”

What makes the window walk here in downtown Brainerd so special isn’t just the family atmosphere, the fun windows, or all the decorations. It’s also the chance it gives the small businesses to get in touch with the community and show up for what is usually a small business’s busiest time of the year.

“That’s the biggest part of our community, is that we all pull together all the time just to work together, send each other to each other’s businesses all the time,” said Lynda Boyd, owner of The Old Open Window. “And it just brings business down and it’s so much fun.”

People viewing the windows could vote for their favorite display, but it wasn’t just windows they enjoyed. The Christmas tree in the city hall parking lot was lit, carolers were bringing out the holiday spirit, kids could write letters to Santa, and even Mayor Dave Badeaux was offering curbside service for hot cocoa and cookies.

The small businesses in downtown Brainerd stick together and know that supporting each other will breed benefits for all.

“Everybody has each other’s back,” added Holm. “We all know that what is successful for one is this is successful for all of us, and we just really have a really great relationship with everybody. And it’s been really fun working together.”

The ballots for the Downtown Brainerd Window Walk were turned in at 7 PM, and the winner of the competition will be announced Monday after the votes are tallied.