This year you can start your holiday shopping early and support your local economy at the same time by going to the Bremen Sewell Mill Haralson Holiday Happing event this Friday and Saturday.

Tomorrow and Saturday Bremen and Haralson County residents will be welcomed at the recently created Sewell Mill in downtown Bremen to take part in a high-quality, local shopping experience as area craftsmen and artists gather to sell their wares.

As of Monday, 34 vendors were planning to bring the fruits of their labors to the Cherry Blossom Banquet Hall and Artisan Studio of Sewell Mill this weekend to feature their wide range of talents. There will be vendors of every imaginable talent on hand. Vending demonstrations and wares include photography, quilts, embroidery, hand-made candles, wood carvings, oil paintings, purses, Christmas ornaments, jewelry and folk art.

“These are professionals who have full-time jobs and have a passion for their hobby,” says Sewell Mill Artisan Studio and Cherry Blossom Banquet Hall Sales Director Kristen Gerspacher. “It’s really a great opportunity for them to earn a little extra cash [... and for residents] to shop locally for the holidays.”

In fact, as shoppers make their journey downtown, they may discover a few local treasures on their way to the Holiday Happening.

“[This event] gets people downtown,” she said, “and people may discover a store they didn’t even know existed in Bremen while they’re downtown.”

Chamber of Commerce President Jenny English says you’re doing more than discovering new vistas and saving on gas when you buy locally.

“When you buy locally, you are supporting people you work with, go to school with, go to church with, your neighbors, your friends, and you’re improving your own community by circulating money in your community.”

Gerspacher agrees, saying the whole purpose of Sewell Mill and the Holiday Happening is to support local artisans, small businesses and the economy.

“We want to start the economic engine rolling,” Gerspacher said. “That’s the goal of Sewell Mill, to employ more people and improve the economy.”

Of course, Gerspacher plans to achieve this through more than just the Holiday Happening event. She plans to encourage artistic and business growth through Sewell Mill’s entrepreneur opportunities as well as artistic events and classes.

“We hope to make this an annual event [or possibly bi-annual],” Gerspacher said. “I would like to do another event in the spring around April. I’ve always felt like this area is full of creative people, [... and] Sewel Mill is a way to enrich the arts in Bremen and Haralson County.”

However, Gerspacher said she also hopes to use the Mill as a way to promote the downtown area itself and revive it to its former glory.

“Sewell Mill used to employ so many people,” she said. “Now it has a new purpose, and I hope Sewell Mill will breath a little life into downtown.”

Gerspacher says the response to the holiday event as well as the permanent Artisan Market has been overwhelming and has given her confidence in the future success of Sewell Mill.

“We have several artisans line up for the full-time artisan market,” Gerspacher said. “Once we’re fully staffed, we want to offer art classes to the community, so it’s really becoming a kind of community center. [...] Sewell Mill will offer something for everyone, from the local artisan to the local resident wanting to rent out the banquet hall to the small business that has outgrown their basement and needs a place to retail.”

Gerspacher and the entire downtown area welcome all visitors to the Haralson Holiday Happening to come out and show their support for local businesses on Saturday.

According to Gerspacher, local downtown venues The Porter House, Pieces of Time, Amanda Clayton Designs, Bremen Pets ‘N Supplies, Golden Images Photography and several other businesses will also be hosting an open house at their establishments for anyone looking to do a little extra shopping Saturday. Shoppers can get a sneak peak of the vendors and their products on Friday from 5 to 7p.m. The main Holiday Happening event will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.