Fall Market Center Newsletter

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Rolling in the Holidays!

THE MARKET CENTER MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE ITS 2007 HOLIDAY PROMOTIONAL SEASON BEGINNING NOVEMBER 24TH.

Holiday Sing at the Hippodrome
Sunday, December 9

Community and school choruses, youth ensembles, church choirs, and more will fill the Hippodrome with beautiful music. Attendees will also enjoy cookies and a visit from Santa as well as door prizes. Merchants are encouraged to open 12 to 5 on that day. Tickets are FREE, but only available at participating Market Center locations.*

Holiday Bucks
November 24 - December 24

Market Center shoppers will be rewarded with a FREE Holiday Buck (worth $1 on a future purchase) for every purchase of $10.00. The Market Center Merchants Association will reimburse merchants for “Bucks” redeemed.*

Visits from Santa
Weekends November 24 - December 24
(Check website or call for schedule)

Santa will travel throughout the Market Center area on an antique fire engine. He will make scheduled stops to hand out balloons and candy canes.

Baltimore Society of Model Engineers
Holiday Train Exhibit
Saturday, November 24**
Sunday, December 9
Saturday, December 15**
Saturday, December 22**
Sunday, January 13, 2008

Open from 1:00 to 5:00pm each day. Free but donations are appreciated.
Located at 225 W. Saratoga Street, 3rd floor. You will see operating trains and trolley cars in both HO and O scale, including Thomas the Tank Engine.

Lexington Market's Annual Holiday
Fashion Extravaganza
Saturday, December 8
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
400 West Lexington Street

Watch in amazement as chic models grace the runway, showcasing holiday, winter, and evening trends from national and local fashion designers.

AnnualWindow Decorating Contest
November 24 - December 24

Market Center merchants can once again deck their windows with Holiday decorations. Call 410-788-2007 for decoration ideas and deeply discounted decorations. Prizes will be awarded.* Advertising for the promotions will include radio, print, and street banner. Shoppers can also call Market Center’s prize information line at 410-737-7749 (7749) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to find out, where to shop, what’s on stage and much, much more.*

If you have questions or would like to add your business information to the prize line, please call 410-788-2007.

*PLEASE NOTE: Market Center Merchants are eligible to participate only if RBDL fees are paid and current.
**Call 410-837-2763 prior to visiting on these dates to confirm hours.

Sales Tax Increase

The Maryland Retailers Association has asked the Market Center Merchants Association to help in opposing the proposed 20% increase in the sales tax rate, since such an increase will negatively impact the livelihoods of Market Center retail merchants. Governor O’Malley’s proposals depend heavily upon the sales tax and slot machine revenue to fill the deficit and pay for new spending and reductions in other taxes. This puts a disproportionate burden on retailers, especially independent retail merchants. The sales tax increase will also result in a more regressive tax system. The flat rate sales tax is not based on a person’s ability to pay. The 20% increase puts a greater burden on those least able to pay. We urge you to oppose the sales tax rate increase by writing the representatives listed below and urge them to work for a solution more fair to their constituents and retail merchants. A sample letter is available by going online to
www.marketcenterbaltimore.org.

The Honorable Verna Jones
1701 Madison Avenue, Suite 510
Baltimore, MD 21217

The Honorable Melvin L. Stukes
House Office Building, Room 316
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991

The Honorable Ruth M. Kirk
200 S. Arlington Avenue, Suite 311
Baltimore, MD 21223-2672

The Honorable Keith E. Haynes
326 N. Charles Street, Suite 204
Baltimore, MD 21201