Congratulations to the winners of the West Chester Holiday Window Competition. This week West Chester’s Business Improvement District announced the winners of its annual holiday decorating competition. This year there were 43 entrants but only four winners. Drumroll, please. And the winners are… 

“It’s fun. I’m lucky to have amazing clients and I love to decorate,” said Charlie & Co. owner Amy Trout Rose, who claimed her third consecutive “People’s Choice” crown. 

Diana Jaramillo, owner of Jaramillo’s Salon, faced some new challenges this year after relocating her salon of 25 years from Gay St to Courthouse Alley. “Being in an alley did motivate me to make it as festive as I could,” she said 

And boy, did she rise to the challenge with a gorgeous gold and green archway any woodland nymph would be proud to call home. “‘Don’t go putting baby in the corner’ is my motto,” she said. 

Kati Mac Floral took inspiration from Cinderella. “Because our window is something we are known for, especially at the holidays, we take time each year to brainstorm,” they shared. This year found toadstools, an old dress form, and some newly acquired mice together in a whimsical, woodland princess window.  

I have to applaud the low-key brilliance of this initiative. While the lights and greens are nice, the storefront after storefront of holiday interpretation really brings it home. And if you are thinking, wasn’t this always the case? It wasn’t. The holiday window competition began in 2018. It was an early hit with more than 75 businesses participating in that first year.  

Originally published, Dec. 15, 2023

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