The Willow Glen Resident

Photograph by Lea Tauriello

Coming to Light: Residents watched in 1995 as the Christmas tree in front of the Buffington House came to light during the annual ceremony. The tree will be indoors this year, at the Garden Theater.

Lincoln Avenue gears up for annual holiday tree lighting

Garden Theater will play host to tree

By Maggie Benson

In a departure from tradition, the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association this year will set up its annual holiday tree in the lobby of the Garden Theater, rather than in front of the Buffington House.

"We discussed it at the board, and we want to rotate some things," WGBPA president Demetri Rizos said. "We want all our members to benefit, and we haven't done anything for a while in the Garden Theater. It'll be fun."

Board members decided that the tree should change locales so that more merchants could benefit from the crowds it draws. They considered having it at Home Savings Bank, but with El Niño brewing up a rough winter, board members decided an indoor venue would be best. With its high ceilings and intimate setting, the Garden Theater seemed the natural choice, according to Rizos.

"It's nice in there," he said. "The acoustics are wonderful."

The tree-lighting ceremony kicks off at 7 p.m. on Dec. 28 in the lobby of the Garden Theater. The owner of the shopping center, Louie Tsigaris, is providing the tree gratis, and Joy Sewell, the manager of the Century 21 office upstairs, will decorate it.

"I think it's exciting," Tsigaris said. "It's the first time it's been there. ... It's going to help the businesses around there."

Peter Mikhail, manager of the Intermission Cafe, agrees that the event will help business during the tree-lighting ceremony.

"I think that night, in particular, we should really do well. I think sales will probably go up," he said. "Hopefully, people just won't go in and get hot chocolate and leave."

Mikhail added that he's not sure how it will impact sales for the rest of the season.

"If I've learned one thing about the restaurant business, it is that it's very unpredictable; you don't know when it'll go well and when it won't," he explained.

The cafe is offering free hot chocolate to guests, and Burger King plans to pass out candy canes and other treats for the kids.

As usual, Santa will be making an appearance at the tree-lighting and will later set up shop in the empty Murison's space to find out what kids want for Christmas.

In years past, the often-rainy event has drawn between 500 and 1,000 residents. This year, despite the location change, Rizos expects a similar turnout. "[The tree lightings] are actually a lot of fun. I know the community looks forward to them," he said.

The Posey Garden Florist sits across the street from the Buffington House, and while co-owner Pat Barone said she would miss the aesthetic aspects of the tree, she doesn't expect its absence to affect her business. "It was nice to see across the street," she said. "We will probably miss it because it was a nice addition to the street, with the lights and all."

In terms of space, she said, the new venue will be better. "I think they have more room at Murison's for Santa Claus," she added.

The Chancel Choir of the Stone Church of Willow Glen is expected to set a holiday mood with traditional Christmas carols.

The event falls on the day after Thanksgiving--the biggest shopping day of the year--so Avenue merchants are hopeful that residents will be in a shopping mood as well. "We're encouraging our stores to stay open late," Rizos explained. "It's obviously a good shopping day--the day after Thanksgiving."

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