Friday, December 18, 2009
Businesses in Boardman brighten up holiday mood
By RICK ROUAN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN — First it was a little bit of lit garland and some roof lights.
Next, it was a couple of Christmas trees in the window.
Then it was war.
Youngstown Cycle Supply and Audio Extreme, both on Market Street, have been having a friendly competition this holiday season to see who could have the best holiday display at their businesses.
“It’s always been a friendly business and friendship with those guys,” said Bob Lancey, Audio Extreme’s president.
The first shot was fired when Lancey had lights installed the day before Thanksgiving at Audio Extreme, 7000 Market St.
Lancey calls his display the “Griswold Christmas lights,” hearkening the ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ reference for his “Italian twinkle lights” and “world’s brightest Merry Christmas sign.”
He uses the Clark Griswoldian phrases, tongue in cheek, to describe about 132 feet of lit garland, lights on the roof and his script “Merry Christmas” sign out front.
“For Christmas, we just go ape,” he said.
Edison Lighting, 741 McClurg Road, designed the display at Audio Extreme, Lancey said.
The competition arose when Lancey traveled a quarter-mile down Market Street to Youngstown Cycle Supply Inc., 6915 Market St., to pick up a motorcycle jacket he ordered.
“We’re playing around one day, and I said, ‘You don’t have any Christmas lights,’” Lancey said.
So Megan Stevens, vice president of Youngstown Cycle Supply, decided to issue the challenge.
“Megan just challenged him. Let’s see who can outdo each other,” said Jim Nadasky, president of Youngstown Cycle Supply.
Soon after, the Christmas trees and light strands at Youngstown Cycle Supply multiplied to about a dozen lit trees of varying sizes, more lights and a giant inflatable Santa Claus on a motorcycle with reindeer in the side car.
The two Boardman businesses decided to increase their Christmas presence to help put people in a better mood for the holidays.
Talk of a recession during the last year has hampered some of the holiday cheer that the businesses are used to seeing in November and December, Nadasky said.
“I think that a lot of people have been beaten down by it. I think Christmas time is one of those times you can try to let it go,” Stevens said. “I said, ‘Let’s do something here to get more people in the Christmas spirit.’”
Nadasky said he coined the motto “The recession doesn’t have to mean depression” for the competition.
“We want to get this whole area here inspired,” Nadasky said.
But Lancey said that other businesses, and even homes in the area, have not decorated as much as in the past.
“People just aren’t lighting up like they used to,” he said.
Putting together the display is a way for the businesses to inspire some cheer in the people passing by and to show a love for the holiday, Lancey said.
“Christmas is Christmas,” Lancey said. “It’s just a love for it. ... You’ve got to be able to show it.”
rrouan@vindy.com