Oak Harbor Winter Stroll brings warmth and shoppers back downtown

Oak Harbor Main Street staged its fourth annual Winter Stroll on Jan. 13, filling downtown storefronts and the Harborside Mall with hot cocoa, tea, cider and a steady flow of browsers aimed at helping local merchants through the post-holiday slowdown.

Organizers said about 20 businesses took part, inviting residents inside to warm up and explore independent shops that often see a dip in sales in January. Participating merchants included A Vintage Affair, Blooms & Bites, Dina’s Great Finds, Lotus Tea Bar & Studio and The Crystal Mysteaque. There were also free cocoa and cookies provided inside the Harborside Mall, sponsored by the Garry Oak Gallery.

Oak Harbor Main Street Marketing Coordinator Teresa Besaw said the stroll is intentionally timed to counter winter lulls. “Traditionally, January, I believe, is the slowest month for merchants throughout the year, after the holidays,” Besaw said. The event has been run for four years as a simple, low-cost way to bring people back downtown and remind them of the variety of goods and services available from locally owned shops.

Beyond beverages and browsing, the stroll highlighted hands-on options that underscore downtown’s role as a creative hub. Attendees could make a candle at Varner Candle Company or paint something in Artists Lounge, giving families and neighbors chances to linger, spend and socialize in small, local spaces. Besaw noted organizers try to meet the chilly weather with hospitality: “It is cold, but that’s why we try to warm them up while they’re out there strolling,” Besaw said.

For Island County residents, the event does more than provide a warm drink. Economically, modest boosts in foot traffic during slow months can help small retailers cover overhead and retain staff between holiday peaks. Socially, community gatherings like the Winter Stroll offer informal supports that ease post-holiday isolation, connecting people to familiar faces and nearby services.

Winter Stroll also acts as a reminder of downtown Oak Harbor’s central role in local life. By drawing residents into storefronts, the event sparks discovery—new favorite shops, upcoming classes or services—and encourages spending that stays inside the community rather than flowing to online or regional chains.

The takeaway? Head downtown when neighborhoods host these low-key events: bring a friend, warm up with a cup, and pick up something that helps a neighbor-run business keep going. Supporting small shops in January helps keep Oak Harbor vibrant year-round.