Watermark Corners employees, l to r, Beth (Sallak), June (Kalemkarian), Amy (Trimble), and Debi (Danielson accept their “Locals Love Us” award on Monday, November 4th, 2013.

Swing by Watermark Corners in Moline on Friday, between 4:00 and 7:30 p.m. and pick up a new illustrated children’s book in the Christmas Cats series and, while supplies last, receive a FREE copy of Book #1, “The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats.”

Watermark Corners employees, l to r, Beth (Sallak), June (Kalemkarian), Amy (Trimble), and Debi (Danielson accept their “Locals Love Us” award on Monday, November 4th, 2013.[/caption]Watermark Corners was voted Best Gift Shop by the blog Locals Love Us. The employees were presented the award by Ryan “Ryno” Bell on Monday, November 4, 2013. This franchised website only allows one vote, per customer. Coming in second was Isabelle Bloom, with Aunt Hattie’s Fanciful Emporium 3rd, Anne’s Hallmark 4th and Kile’s Hallmark 5th.

Watermark Corners employees, l to r, Beth (Sallak), June (Kalemkarian), Amy (Trimble), and Debi (Danielson accept their “Locals Love Us” award on Monday, November 4th, 2013.

new website LocalsLoveUs.com, started 2 months ago by Ryan “Ryno” Bell, charts favorite businesses in a host of categories. Various cities have this service, but the Quad Cities’ favorite Gift Shop winner, awarded on Monday, November 4th, 2013, was the Watermark Corners and Stationers Gift Shop at 1500 River Drive in Moline, Illinois.

Watermark Corners is having a Holiday Open House on Friday, November 8th, from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m., with wine and cheese, live music by local musicians, a FREE gift of personalized stationery, store-wide specials, door prize drawings and WaterMark cash ($10 for every $50 purchased). Local author Connie (Corcoran) Wilson will also be present, autographing copies of her new Christmas Cats book “The Christmas Cats Chase Christmas Rats,” which Barb Trimble is holding in the picture.

Swing by Watermark Corners in Moline on Friday, between 4:00 and 7:30 p.m. and pick up a new illustrated children’s book in the Christmas Cats series and, while supplies last, receive a FREE copy of Book #1, “The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats.” There is an unconfirmed rumor that the Cat in the Hat may make an unscheduled appearance some time between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., as a supportive fan of the Christmas Cats. The Cat in the Hat has appeared before, but the tea pot on its head makes driving hazardous for him, as he has to recline in the car and cannot see over the dashboard. Therefore, the popular Cat in the Hat has limited personal appearances only to those he holds most dear. It is true that small children were seen (and heard) running screaming from a reading of a Dr. Seuss book at the East Moline Public Library, as the 2-year-old told to “pose with the Cat in the Hat” did not get the memo in time to fully comprehend the significance of a large cat wearing a teapot on its head.

Stop by the Number One Gift Shop in the Quad Cities at 1500 River Drive in Moline on Friday, November 8th, when “The Christmas Cats Chase Christmas Rats,” if purchased at regular price, will be matched by a FREE copy of the first Christmas Cats book, “The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats” while supplies last.

The WaterMark Corners will also be hosting a Saturday, November 9th, celebration from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. with storewide specials, door prize drawings and $10 for every $50 purchased in WaterMark Cash.

Owner Barb Trimble holds copies of "The Christmas Cats Chase Christmas Rats," by local writer Connie (Corcoran) Wilson, who will be signing copies on Friday, November 8th, from 4 to 7:30 p.m., with a FREE copy of Book #1 in the Christmas Cats series (with illustrations by local artist Andrew Weinert) while supplies last.

Owner Barb Trimble holds copies of “The Christmas Cats Chase Christmas Rats,” by local writer Connie (Corcoran) Wilson, who will be signing copies on Friday, November 8th, from 4 to 7:30 p.m., with a FREE copy of Book #1 in the Christmas Cats series (with illustrations by local artist Andrew Weinert) while supplies last.