Downtown business owners are singing holiday praises for the inaugural Jingle Bell Walk held Thursday evening.

The event, sponsored by the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce, was intended to spark holiday sales locally, and it did just that.

Tracy Miller, owner of Jus Because, said her store was full all night.

“I think things went good,” she said. “We were real busy. We took a lot of Santa pictures and lots of people shopped. It helped to get people out and it helped our holiday sales.”

Miller was just one of 32 businesses that participated in the holiday event, but not all were retail establishments.

Some, like First National Bank & Trust, took the event as an opportunity to show their customers appreciation with refreshments and to help other businesses and artists. Atmore Florist, which is located out of historic downtown, set up shop on the bank’s sidewalk and sold items, and John Graham was featured in doors with his woodwork.

Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheryl Vickery said she was pleased with the turnout.

“We are always pleased when our businesses are,” she said. “Anytime we can help promote spending money in town, it benefits the whole city.”

Country Charms owner Joe Brown was pleased to hear his cash register ringing more early in the holiday season.

“Sales were good, we were real pleased,” he said Friday afternoon. “I think it went well. It was much better than last year and the event earlier this fall.”

Cathy Coley, owner of Coley Petals & Parties, said the event not only promoted local shopping, but the Christmas spirit.

“We had a great crowd and there was lots of enthusiasm. Everybody was all smiles and getting in the Christmas spirit.”

In addition to holiday sales, Coley had a live nativity scene in front of her business for the first hour of the event.

“I think events like these are great for downtown,” she said. “I think it gives everybody a reason to come downtown. To me, it’s one of the joys of living in a small town because you are not only shopping, but you are enjoying the fellowship with everybody in town.”

Brown said events like the Jingle Bell Walk are not only a benefit to business owners.

“It benefits both the customer and the business,” he said. “You are open a little bit later, so they are able to shop. Plus, it gives us more exposure and more sales.”

Other businesses that participated include, American Legion Post 90, The Atmore Advance, Atmore Appliance, B Communications, Barn Owl, Brother’s Auto Sales, Central Farm Supply, Down Memory Lane, Earle’s Jewelers, Edgar’s Business Machines, Edward Jones & Co., Gregg’s, Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union, Health Plus Chiropractic Center, Huskey Printing Co., Maxwell, Haley & Castleberry, Novus Auto Glass, Pintoli’s Italian Café, Shirley Darby Law Office, Strand Theater, The Beans Store, The Roaster’s Gallery, The Tot Shop, United Bank, We Care Program, Wisteria and You Family Insurance Company.