MONTGOMERY — They zip through Montgomery's historic shopping district, with nary a chance to press their noses against shop windows.

        Tonight, that all changes.

Steve Pick (left) and Buddy Goldstein are co-founders of the Historic Montgomery Business Association, (Enquirer photo) | ZOOM |

        The 120 shops along Montgomery Road, Main Street and four intersecting streets are keeping their doors open until 8 p.m. so that busy people, especially busy young mothers, can find time to shop.

        “Being moms of young kids, we never get a chance to go into those stores during normal business hours. It's just a nice opportunity to go out kid-free and get to these stores that we drive by or walk by every day,” said Tania Moore, 35, who plans to shop tonight with 15 other young moms. Her husband, Marko Stojanovic, will babysit their children — Liam, 4, and Lorae, 2.

        Every Thursday through Christmas will offer the same extended shopping hours as part of the Historic Montgomery Business Association's first-ever “Shop Olde Montgomery Late” event. Christmas shoppers will be offered special deals, sales and refreshments.

        “People need a nice night out, where they can just have some fun. We can give them a fun night without the kids,” said Steve Pick, co-founder of the business association and co-owner of Feather Your Nest, a gift shop in an old city building.

        Red ribbon, pine needles and ornamental wreaths already decorate the historic shopping district.

        Lesa Cress, co-owner of Feather Your Nest, has decorated the store with large, sparkling snowflakes and plans to welcome today's shoppers by playing Christmas carols. They will peruse the store's supply of Christmas ornaments before leaving and perhaps smelling savory Moroccan Chicken from across the street at Gourmet Bazaar.

        Owner Fariba Zahedi plans to hold special cooking demonstration during the extended hours. Future recipes will include eggplant, sour grapes and fava beans.

        Ms. Zahedi hopes the cooking will prompt shoppers to browse through the store's aisles. They are stocked with specialty teas, cookies, spices and gift baskets.

        Art studios at Imaginattic Children's Creativity Studio also will remain open until 8 p.m. Children can draw, paint and mold clay while their parents shop. Studio space will be offered at half price — or $4 an hour. Thursdays are “when working people have a chance to do some shopping,” she said. “Their little ones can come in and see the studio.”
       

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