Lakeside launches Christmas season

Christmas came early to Lakeside Avenue this year, and it’s sticking around.

The first ever “Holly Jolly Christmas” weekend united shops along the 1½-mile avenue, which stretches from Bryan Park to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.

On Friday evening, more than 20 merchants stayed open late and served refreshments. A trolley traveled the length of the avenue to ferry visitors from one cluster of shops to another. Carolers serenaded.

Yesterday, the Christmas spirit continued, minus the trolley and carolers.

Stan Walkuw of Richmond was one of those who saw the people and decided to check it out on Friday night.

“It’s the first time we’ve ever been in Lakeside at night,” he said. “We’ve been watching Lakeside slowly turn over, but I don’t think we’ve ever been here to walk.”

Pat Cully, who’s lived near Bryan Park for 25 years, rode the trolley with her 9-year-old granddaughter, Kelly Coogle.

“It’s really nice to see all this area coming alive again,” she said. “It’s nice to see the shops moving in.”

Lakeside’s business district isn’t as compact as Carytown. Businesses are clustered near the two parks and in the center, separated by stretches of houses. The trolley allowed visitors to park at one spot and see everything.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to have it every day?” mused Tony Turner, owner of Feathernesters, a décor and gift shop.