Most Elegant …………………………………………………… Selvedge Studio (509 S Higgins)
Noteworthy’s co-owner Amy Dolan says it takes nearly a week to decorate their windows for this competition, yet the hard work pays off each year. At first glance, passersby notice the black patterns framing each of the front windows. Amy and the staff rolled black acrylic paint over a 48×48” square of Mylar stencil to create this effect. Their hope is the stenciled borders will draw people closer to peer through the window. Inside each window is a scene from Santa’s life: his mailbox overflowing with letters, his armchair and glasses for reading the letters, his workshop, and his loaded sleigh. This creative display can be seen at their boutique at 101 S. Higgins Ave.
Taking the award for Most Elegant, Selvedge Studio dazzles the Hip Strip with sophisticated snowflakes surrounded by bird.
The MDA thanks all businesses who participated in the competition, and urges shoppers to come downtown and take a peek at all the decorated windows. Don’t miss these winners, as well as the displays of The Jeannette Rankin Peace Center, The Artists’ Shop, Bella Donna & Mood Boutique, Hide and Sole, Betty’s Divine, Station 26, Whippersnappers with a Twist, Bitterroot Floral, One Eleven and The Green Light.
The Downtown Window Decorating Competition has been an annual holiday event in Downtown Missoula since 1999. For the first time, the contest invited votes from the community to choose the winners in an online survey ending Friday, December 7. Winners received a gourmet cookie platter from Bernice’s Bakery to share with their staff and shoppers. The windows will remain decorated throughout the Holiday Season for Missoulians to come Downtown and enjoy, so get a good look while you can.
The MDA also applauds the winning floats of the December 1 Parade of Lights: Nature’s Best, Best Commercial Float; University of Montana, Best Civic Float; The Flagship Program, Best High School Float; Montana Super Skippers, Best K-8 Float; and Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, Best Religious Float.
For more information, please contact the Missoula Downtown Association at 543.4238 or mda@missouladowntown.com.