The snow fell, the menorah was lit the evening of Thanksgiving, and now trees are hovered over the top of vehicles at the stream of Christmas trees lined up just before the underpass up to Belmont Center. The vehicles pull out of the lot of trees and whisk uphill on Common Street to their homes.
The season is here, December - when Belmontians scurry through jammed traffic at the intersection of Leonard Street among shops and restaurants. Throngs of people pace through the thresholds of Starbuck's to collect their cup of hot coffee or chocolate, grab a bagel at Bruegger's, hop over to a corner through Champions to cut over to the back parking lot for their cars.
Where are the Belmontians going? Perhaps the first stop for the holiday preparation would be a trip to CVS for a potent stick of deodorant?
Find out what's happening in Belmontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"I am looking for the strongest deodorant.. None of the deodorant quite work for me during this time of year, ummm.." I asked a sale person with some hesitation and some, mind you, sweat.
A really good deodorant truly works under holiday duress?
Find out what's happening in Belmontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
How does stress affect business owners?
I asked a few business shops..
"Although this can be a high stress time of year, we like to keep things light and fun at the store. We keep lots of caffeine flowing and treats for customers and ourselves close by. Good music always seems to help with the mood, it's great to get people's feet dancing a little. As people start crossing off friends and family from their list, we remind them not to be filled with anxiety about wanting to buy things for themselves. Whatever people can do to stay happy and festive is justified during this crazy season, even if it means treating yourselves to a little happiness, whether it be some sugar or a little cashmere!"- Bessie Blue, Lee Gaston
"As is the case for many small businesses, this is a very busy time at Craft Beer Cellar. Some find it stressful, but we love it! We have the best customers in the world. When they choose us for their holidays orders (both for gifts or for something to share at the table), we are grateful, humbled, and energized. Exciting? Yes. Awesome? Definitely! But "Stressful"? No way. We're too busy to be stressed :)!" Lee Movic, Craft Beer Cellar Community Manager
"Christmas shopping here in Belmont center is busy! About eighty percent of the sales are up during the holiday season, until December 24th. Sure, it can be stressful around this time of year, though Belmont customers are great,. The gift wrapping is steady, perpetually requested than most occasions, but again it's holiday season and we have great customers. Eighteen years of running a business, it's a wonderful time of year.." A Chocolate Dream - Vicki Frassica
"L'Essentiel Spa is festive all year long! Our clients have become our friends, and because we have such a multi-cultural clientele, we always have a holiday or good fortune to celebrate. From Thanksgiving to New Years, we do love to extra pamper our clients - and all of our senses - with pastries and bubbly, spruce scented candles, holiday lights and bells, and holiday jazz. It does create a little magic! It's wonderful to see our guests leave any holiday stress at our door, and the camaraderie of our amazing staff. It's funny, in our Spa's never ending quest to conquer anti-aging, the holidays remind us that we are all still young at heart!" Susanna Barmakian, L'Essentiel Spa, Belmont Center
As a Belmont resident of twenty eight years, there have been one delectable consistency here in this small town - the spirit of community.
Wearing deodorant might have its fine ingredient to mask the sweat, but ...what's the sweat when you have great shops in Belmont Center?
With a cup of Starbuck's coffee in hand, and a piece of chocolate from 'A Chocolate Dream' - no sweat!