Trick or Treat at Mercer Island Businesses returns to the Island

The event will take place Oct. 31.

The annual Trick or Treat at Mercer Island Businesses returns for another year. The Chamber of Commerce, members of the chamber and local businesses will open their doors on Halloween.

From 3-5 p.m. on Oct. 31, community members are invited to join the chamber and participate in the annual Trick or Treat event in town center and the south end shopping center. North-end and south-end shops will decorate their doors and hand out candy and treats.

Laurie Givan, executive director at the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber has hosted this community event more than six years.

“The community really comes out for it,” she said. “It seems to grow every year…people are super excited and we encourage [participating] businesses to decorate, dress up, and do whatever they can to make it festive.”

Givan said the annual Halloween event is an opportunity for clients or customers to come out and meet business owners. She said it’s a community event for local businesses to highlight their shops.

More than 100 people come out and walk through downtown, according to Givan. Participating business on the south end include Sahara Pizza, Movement System Therapy and Chase Bank. Businesses on the north end include Studio 904, the Christian Science Reading Room and Island Treats.

Anne Peterson, owner of Island Treats said she is looking forward to the event.

“It was so fun to see families last year,” she said. “It wasn’t just the kids but the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles coming through in costumes. It’s exciting to be out on the streets of Mercer Island. It’s kind of fun.”

Peterson, who’s been open for two years now said this event is a fun way for owners to get involved with the community. This will be Island Treat’s second year participating in the event.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Peterson said. “The staff is excited to come up with a new theme and package treats for the kids… it really is a highlight of our year.”

Givan said there are various Halloween events happening on the Island.

“It shows that the growing community really embraces when organizations are able to put something together during a particular holiday,” she said.

Trick or Treat at Mercer Island businesses is sponsored by Banner Bank, L’Experience Paris, and Sunrise Senior Living.

To learn more, see www.mercerislandchamberofcommerce.org.