Frances Holt, left, and Teresa Duffey make red ribbon bows for the Alabama/Auburn display at Apple’s Florist and Garden Center. | Clif Knight

The Town of Falkville buzzed with activity on Sunday afternoon in response to a Christmas Open House observance co-hosted by local merchants.

Participating stores were open from 1 to 5 p.m.

At Sweet Pea Antiques, customers filled the aisles checking out displays of antiques and collectibles in 22 booths and many of them were making purchases.

“We’re pleased with the response,” said Tina Rogers, who opened her antique mall less than a year ago. “We’re seeing people who haven’t been in the mall before and they seem impressed with what we have to offer them.”

Apple’s Florist and Garden Center was also getting lots of shoppers.

“We’ve always had an open house at Christmastime here,” said manager Terry Masterson, “but this is the first time other businesses have joined in. We all got together and decided that it would be in the best interest of everyone to do it together.”

“A lot of our customers come to see what our designers have created to decorate their homes and businesses,” she pointed out. “Some buy while others get ideas for their own Christmas decor projects.”