Exploring the charm of downtown Geneva with its extensive variety of retailers and restaurants does not have to stop after the holidays. Thanks to some creative merchants and planning efforts from the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, visitors can experience Geneva’s appeal with several engaging shopping and sipping events this winter and beyond.

Leap year graces shoppers with an extra day to browse and buy this month, and Leap for Joy is a new opportunity to shop and save while benefiting a local charity. Sponsored by Peak Boutique and Cocoon, Leap for Joy on Saturday, Feb. 29 is a day of shopping at nearly 30 Geneva retailers offering special savings and promotions to event participants.

 

“It’s so important to support our local businesses. I personally love shopping in downtown Geneva,” said Kimber McCue, co-owner Peak Boutique, 207 S. Third St. “Knowing I’m getting some savings and promotions with this event is a bonus.”

Proceeds from Leap for Joy will benefit the Geneva Women’s Club. “Geneva Women’s Club is a great local charity with an incredible group of women doing amazing work for our community,” McCue said. “It’s a win-win.”



Interested shoppers can purchase a ticket online for $25 before Feb. 29. Then beginning at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 29, participants pick up a clutch detailing the coupons and promotions being honored at each retailer. As an added bonus, at least 10 clutches also will be stuffed with a $29 gift certificate good on Feb. 29 during the Leap for Joy shopping event. 

Only 120 tickets will be sold for Leap for Joy. Tickets may be purchased on Peak Boutique's website. Participants may pick up their wristlets from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 29 at Café & Barr, 407 S. Third St. Coupons and promotions will be valid through Sunday, March 15, 2020.

One of the reasons area merchants organized Leap for Joy was to encourage shoppers to stop into a new business they have not frequented before while visiting downtown Geneva. “You don’t get an experience like this anywhere else,” McCue said. “Each store is well thought out with a sense of the shop owners’ personalities and love for their products.

If shopping is not your cup of tea, the Geneva Chamber of Commerce brewed up its second Annual Coffee Cup Crawl on Saturday, Feb. 22. Participants will enjoy a day of sipping and sampling hot and cold coffee drinks and even some adult beverages as they visit 14 Geneva establishments. This ticketed event sold out because of overwhelming demand. Stay tuned for future “crawls” sponsored by the Geneva Chamber and area merchants later this year.

For a comprehensive listing of where to eat, shop and stay in Geneva visit the Explore Geneva interactive map.