By Gabrielle Harradine
Special to the Daily Press

MONTANA AVENUE With the holidays approaching fast, shoppers and retailers here are getting a jump on the annual celebration known as Holiday Walk.

The annual event that dates back more than two decades is usually staged the first weekend of December. This year’s event, however, arrives a week earlier due to Thanksgiving’s early arrival.

Beginning at 5 p.m. tonight, residents will spill into the street between Sixth and 17th streets along Montana Avenue as participating shops and restaurants remain open late to ring in the holiday season.

As part of the celebration, many of the businesses will be serving up free treats and drinks to help keep shoppers warm. Ames, a women’s apparel store located at 1333 Montana Ave., will have mimosas available inside, while Moselle, another chic women’s clothing store at 1325 Montana Ave., will be serving up wine, hot apple cider, cake and cookies.

Festive lights and music will abound at the Holiday Walk. At Three Bags Full, 716 Montana Ave., a boutique that offers clothing with unusual textures and designs, live jazz music will ring out, accompanied by hot cider, cookies and more, said manager Jane Walker.

Dr. Gruning Eye Care, at 1312 Montana Ave., will be keeping a watch over the festivities. The eye doctor’s cooking up homemade chili and apple pie, which visitors can enjoy while taking in carols sung by the Santa Monica High School choir. The choir will also be collecting fundraising money to help them pay for upcoming performances.

For the kids, Santa Claus will be making an appearance at the toy store JennyBec’s, 927 Montana Ave. The little ones can sit on Santa’s lap and run down their Christmas wish lists. In addition, JennyBec’s is also sponsoring a toy drive to help the children and families left homeless by the recent fires in California. Shoppers can drop off gently-used toys (as well as other items for children), or buy a new toy at the store for the fire victims and receive a 20 percent discount.

One of the new shops on the street that will be celebrating their first Holiday Walk is Il Primo Passo, at 1624 Montana Ave. Il Primo Passo sells luxury shoes, handbags and accessories from unique designers. The store will be offering discounts on certain items, as well as treats for both adults and kids, said Beth Whiffen the store’s owner.

“It’s a holiday party atmosphere,” said an associate at Citron, a clothing store for both men and women specializing in Asian and vintage motifs. The store plans to hand out deals to visitors — $25 off every $100 spent.

Sabine Lehmann, current chair of the Montana Avenue Merchants Association, noted there won’t be a shuttle running this year to help shoppers get from one store to another, but there will be plenty of other things to keep visitors going.

Last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver showed up for the fun.

“It’s a fun night and usually the busiest night of the year for us,” said Malin Dell’ Amico of 17th Street Cafe.

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