Courtesy photo The vintage look of the window display at Jen’s Gems by Peach in downtown Escanaba received the most online votes to win the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority’s Walking in Winter Windowland promotion during the holidays. Owner James Ayotte, center, accepted the media advertising prize from Sarah Maki, Daily Press Publisher, left, and Jessica Larsen, RRN Local Sales Manager. Ayottte plans to use the prize to advertise a new direction at his store.

ESCANABA — The store display at Jen’s Gems by Peach in Escanaba stood out as one of the best decorated for the holidays in the downtown with its vintage look. Shoppers choose the downtown business as the most festive storefront in the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA) Walking in a Winter Windowland competition.

James Ayotte, owner of Jen’s Gems by Peach, said they wanted to go with a vintage display for Christmas to remember how the stores used to be decorated downtown for the holidays.

“Years ago, all of the businesses had displays downtown. So, we wanted to go with red and gold, you know, old and vintage, to bring that back to life,” he said.

Walking in a Winter Windowland was suggested by business owners during a DDA Business Partners Committee meeting as a way to encourage downtown businesses to decorate their windows for the holidays. Radio Results Network (RRN) and the Daily Press offered advertising to the business that could get the most online votes.

Jen’s Gems by Peach received the most votes with North Coast Apparel and Nevaeh taking second and third. Other businesses that received votes included Nyman Jewelers, Leigh’s Garden Winery, South City Pub, U.P. Bras That Fit, Pam’s Petals, Tri-County Safe Harbor and East Ludington Gallery.

Ayotte said customers really enjoyed the window display at his business.

“Everybody loved it, I mean, absolutely loved it. They were in awe. It was like walking in a winter wonderland,” Ayotte said.

The response to the window campaign was better than expected. Escanaba DDA Director Craig Woerpel said they hope to build on the promotion next year.

“This year, it was kind of ‘last minute.’ But those businesses that were able to participate in the contest really enjoyed encouraging customers to vote online,” Woerpel said.

The advertising package that Ayotte won couldn’t have come at a better time. He plans to use the prize to promote a new direction at the store.

“We are switching our business model here in the gift shop to a discount variety outlet so we are going to be bringing in discount groceries, discount health and beauty items, everyday essentials. So, if you are cooking dinner and you need a box of noodles, you don’t have to walk all the way through the bigger stores to get a box of noodles, you can come in, grab it and go,” Ayotte explained.

He hopes to have the new store concept open by the end of January. You can hear more about it in the advertising he will be using in the Daily Press and Radio Results Network.