Belmar resident and frequent shopper Jo Ann Cardone doesn’t have to go far to get into the holiday spirit this season. She barely needs to step outside her front door.
The Belmar shopping center in Lakewood is in full Christmas mode with its ice rink open for the holiday season and decorations all set and ready for the busiest shopping time of the year at the center near Wadsworth Boulevard and Alameda Avenue.
“I love it here. No. 1 for me is the decorations,” Cardone said.
The ice rink is open daily until Jan.8, then stays open Thursday-Sunday with limited hours until Jan. 29. The shopping center is also hosting various promotions throughout the season and keeps its tree lights on display until after the new year.
“The cycle is not just ending on Christmas Day. Then you have things happening around New Year’s. The season is really extended too,” Belmar spokeswoman Leslie Horna said.Ice skating at the rink costs $9.50 for adults and $7.50 per child age 12 and under. Kids 2 and younger and seniors age 65 and older skate free.
“From a marketing standpoint the skating rink is centerpiece of what we do,” Belmar general manager Lary Herkal said.
Since the Belmar shopping center opened in 2004, the holidays have been one of the premiere events and 2016 will be no different as, in addition to the skating rink, there are several other events — a gift giveaway on Christmas Eve, an opportunity for dogs to take photos with Santa Claus and a “Noon Year’s Eve at the Rink” with a performance by the Mountain Edge Skating Club.
The shopping center will also have a “share the spirit,” program where on certain days a staff member will give someone a $50 gift card to use in Belmar and a $25 gift card to pass on to someone else.
Herkal said the programs are all about creating an experience for shoppers and residents rather than just a place to shop.
“I think Belmar is a little different than other malls. We’re really, truly experiential,” he said.
For complete details on events, visit.
New business Rocky Mountain Soap Market opened in Belmar Nov. 1 and has seen good business, according to owner Jennifer Ross, especially since it is right across from the skating rink.
“We felt like we opened at a really good time of the year to catch holiday traffic,” Ross said, adding that the shopping center provided a good spot for a second location. The original store is in Colorado Springs. “The Belmar location has unique mix of residential, retail that we liked and the ambiance is very nice.”
Belmar has about 300 trees, all of which are fully decorated with holiday lights. Herkel said the LED lights have helped Belmar save money in recent years. Ross has also enjoyed the trees.
“I think they have their act together in creating a festive atmosphere. The lights are gorgeous,” Ross said of Belmar.
And for residents like Cardone, Belmar has been a good gathering place for people and a great place to live during the holidays.
“People like staying here and being able to walk some place. Itap a family feeling. Itap great,” she said.
