Dec 5, 2022
BATAVIA — Downtown businesses and the City Centre were the centers of attention Saturday afternoon and evening as Christmas in the City returned to Batavia.
People had the chance to visit participating downtown businesses. Some offered activities and treats for children, others had beverages for adults. “Our Hometown Christmas,” presented by Batavia Players Inc., was expected to have about 40 vendors. Christmas in the City had Santa’s Village and workshop in the mall as well, along with the parade down Main Street. The Batavia Players presented “A Christmas Carole” Thursday through today at Main St. 56 Theater.
Among those visiting downtown were Amy and Jean, from Lancaster and Batavia, respectively. Amy and Jean, who said they didn’t want to give their last names, were in the City Centre late Saturday afternoon. They said they had stopped at some of the shops on Main Street and elsewhere as well.
“We went to the Coffee Press (on Jackson Street), we went to Charles Men’s Shop, we went to the barber (My Cut Barbershop), we went to the (Empire Hemp Co.) hemp store,” Amy said.
“We did all of this in here,” she said of visiting the vendors in the City Centre, adding the two of them were going to a play Saturday night.
Jean said she liked the people she saw out and about Saturday.
“I think it’s wonderful to see the response that Batavia has made for this particular day,” she said. “People are friendly. Their children are participating in all the different crafting areas that are here in the mall.”
Jean said Saturday afternoon was probably one of the happiest times she’s seen in Batavia.
“I see Batavia as a much more active city than a lot of other small cities in the area,” she said. “They are involved in Halloween with their (scarecrows) along the lamp posts and the walk through the cemetery. They have some wonderful organizers, so that’s good to see.”
Amy said her favorite place among the stops they made Saturday was MY Cut Barbershop.
“Very friendly — they had a nice, little drink, they showed us all their stuff,” she said. My Cut participated in Christmas in the City and had champagne for those who were 21 or older.
Amy said it was the first time at Christmas in the City for both her and Jean.
