Cookie Walk protects downtown district from crumbling

SANDUSKY — When comparing shops spread across downtown Sandusky's evolving business district, they truly do offer polarizing products.To paint the picture, there are multiple modern art and antique shops a stone's throw away from one another.Speciality stores, no matter for men or women, offer casual clothing and upscale evening wear for a night out.And don't forget about the eating establishments, serving pizzas, popcorn, tacos, domestic beers and fine wine imported from across international waters.But they all share one commercial commonality: Each entity depends on the others to collectively succeed.No better example exists than Thursday night's Cookie Walk, a rebranded yearly holiday event, resurrected after a brief hiatus, to support all local merchants.By offering free cookies at each participating business, 16 in total, entrepreneurs enticed prospective purchasers to visit not only their operations but their neighbors as well.Meredith Sutphen snatches up a cookie while visiting Hotel Kilbourne during Thursday's Cookie Walk in Sandusky. The event involved 16 businesses partnering together to attract people, with free cookies offered at each participating location, into their shops spread across downtown.And it worked, despite a frigid feel cast across the night sky. In Bertsch Jewelers, for example, dozens of people entered the store, perusing cases filled with lustrous necklaces and polished rings. Some even left with a bag filled with alluring accessories."I love this kind of event because it brings people downtown and not just to my store but to all stores," said Michelle Bertsch-Herold, the jewelry shop's owner and a main organizer for the Cookie Walk. "It's all about camaraderie."Craig Stierhoff, 18, grabs one of the cookies from Bertsch Jewelers with friends Sara Shchultz, 18, and Sarah Stanley, 15, during Thursday's Cookie Walk in downtown Sandusky. The event involved 16 businesses partnering together to attract people, with free cookies offered at each participating location, into their shops spread across downtown.Sandusky resident Brenda Westerhold couldn't agree more. With a group of friends, she stopped inside several businesses throughout the three-hour event."We like to support downtown," said Westerhold, who spoke in between tasting her sugar cookie while she washed it down with a cup of wine.Jasmine Awls, a Hotel Kiilbourne employee and baker, holds up her cookie creations she distributed during Thursday's Cookie Walk in Sandusky. The event involved 16 businesses partnering together to attract people, with free cookies offered at each participating location, into their shops spread across downtown.Events like the Cookie Walk can create cohesion among small businesses competing with one another for dollars, said Nikki Lloyd, who serves as a city commissioner and co-owns Hotel Kilbourne, a participating business."We have a great group of merchants that are in the holiday spirit, continuing to work together," Lloyd said. "We look forward to welcoming our community to see what our downtown has to offer."Instead of going with cookies, Sandusky Wine Merchant owner Kevin Bertschi offered the "perfect" pairing, chocolate and port wine, to, from left, Kristy Stacy, Taylor Sutphen and Meredith Sutphen during Thursday's Cookie Walk in Sandusky. The event involved 16 businesses partnering together to attract people, with free cookies offered at each participating location, into their shops spread across downtown.Among those taking part in the festivities: Bertsch Jewelers, Captain John's Nauticals, The Bay Popcorn Co., The Lunch Box, JaxBar, Musicians' Alley, Mona Pizza Gourmet, Fabulous Female Boutique, Sandusky Segwave, Daly's Pub, Erik's Clothing & Culture, Brick Gallery, Kharma Salon & Beauty, Lena Brows & Beauty Bar, Sandusky Wine Merchants and Hotel Kilbourne.A sign outside Hotel Kilborune advertises Thursday's Cookie Walk in Sandusky. The event involved 16 businesses partnering together to attract people, with free cookies offered at each participating location, into their shops spread across downtown.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.