2012 Holiday Shopping Season Officially Launched

Excited for holiday lights and family gatherings? Ready to find great gifts for all your loved ones? Then get ready as the Alliance for Downtown New York kicks off the 2012 holiday season!

This year marks the fifth year of the Downtown Alliance’s Holiday Shopping Campaign, which is promoted through print and digital advertising and the release of the new 2012 Lower Manhattan Shopping & Dining Guide – a guide designed to showcase the district’s exciting options in which to purchase the ideal holiday gift or gather with friends and family at the perfect restaurant.

Though many Lower Manhattan establishments were disrupted by Superstorm Sandy, the vast majority of Lower Manhattan’s retailers and restaurants are open for business. The Downtown Alliance asks that you support the local retail community by patronizing Lower Manhattan businesses as part of your holiday shopping, dining and entertaining!

“With more than 1,100 shops and restaurants below Chambers Street, Lower Manhattan offers everything from deals to luxuries,” said Elizabeth H. Berger, President of the Downtown Alliance. “Now more than ever, it’s time to patronize Lower Manhattan’s local retailers. Whether you’re working, living, or visiting here, our fantastic shops and restaurant offer something special for everyone in Lower Manhattan this holiday season.”

To order a free hard-copy of the Shopping & Dining guide, click here or email us at [email protected]. You can also find places in which to shop, dine or explore on the Downtown Alliance website, or download our free mobile app.

Other important 2012 holiday information and happenings include:

* Lower Manhattan Shooting Stars:
Look to the skies to see 199 shooting stars in Lower Manhattan. This coming weekend, the Downtown Alliance is installing holiday lights – for the 17th year – to brighten up the neighborhood for the holidays. The Business Improvement District is stringing up shooting stars and star clusters throughout the district until the first week in January.

* Downtown Connection Bus Service:
Downtown Connection buses offer free shuttle service around Lower Manhattan seven days a week, so shoppers weary from carrying bags can find a handy respite. Routes can be found by clicking here.

* Lower Manhattan Holiday Events:
There are a wide variety of holiday events happening across the district, including the tree lighting at the New York Stock Exchange, the holiday lights at the World Financial Center, and holiday card making at the Skyscraper museum. Check the Downtown Alliance’s holiday page for more details and offerings.

* Small Business Saturday:
Support “Small Business Saturday” on November 24, where American Express cardholders can get $25 off their next credit card statement by shopping at local small businesses. For more information, click here .