Moonlight Madness offers fun atmosphere for shoppers and shops alike

DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

MARBLE FALLS — Corinne McCloughan, co-owner of Pitter Patter Children’s Consignment Shop in Marble Falls, looks forward to Moonlight Madness.

“Halloween is so much fun for me, so it naturally translates into an event for the store on Moonlight Madness,” she said. “I really look forward to it because it gives me an opportunity to play with the kids who come in and, hopefully, enjoy some more sales.”

McCloughan and her mother-in-law, Merci McCloughan, opened Pitter Patter, 701 U.S. 281, Suite F, about a year ago. In fact, they held the store’s grand opening on Moonlight Madness last year.

“It was a great day for us,” she said. “I’m looking forward to see if this Moonlight Madness is just as good.”

Moonlight Madness is a shop-local event Oct. 24 with more than 50 Marble Falls businesses participating. The Picayune, KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune and the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring the event.

Organizers hope the day, which includes plenty of specials, fun activities and even door prizes, encourages people to check out some of the local shops, businesses and stores.

And many of the participating businesses are offering additional sales and other enticements to get folks through their doors.

Corinne McCloughan said Pitter Patter will have storewide discounts and half-off Halloween items.

But it’s not just parents who will benefit from Moonlight Madness at Pitter Patter.

“Outside, we’ll have games, treats and lots of fun things for the kids to do,” she said. “We’ll have somebody out there with the kids, so parents can come inside and shop.”

Downtown, Elaine Johnstone of Main Street Coffee is planning a day of pumpkin-flavored fun.

“Pretty much anything that’s pumpkin flavored will be half price,” she said. Johnston owns the coffee house and diner at 108 Main St. She’s looking forward to adding some traditional fall flavors for Moonlight Madness such as caramel apples.

“We’ll have fun with a dress-up contest for the kids,” she said. “I just think it’s one of those events everybody can come out and have a good time during.”

Johnstone, who is known for her numerous quiche recipes, sees the benefits of Moonlight Madness from the persectives of both businesses and customers. She pointed out it’s easy to get in a routine, but Moonlight Madness offers a great way to shake it up a bit by trying something new and different.

“We have all these great stores and shops here in Marble Falls. Why not just walk in and check one out you’ve never been in before?” she said. “I think people will be surprised by the truly unique shops they’ll find right here in Marble Falls.”

Of course, since it’s connected with Halloween, Moonlight Madness gives businesses a chance to show off their light-hearted side. Many of the participating businesses are decorating and dressing up based on a chosen theme.

“We’ve picked ‘Duck Dynasty,'” Johnstone said, referring to the TV show featuring the well-bearded and camouflaged-wearing Robertson family and their Duck Commander crew. “Yeah, and all the girls will be wearing beards. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

McCloughan agreed.

“It’s something different to get people excited and out shopping local,” she said. “So, come out have some fun.”

daniel@thepicayune.com