An emerging theme in holiday movies this year is the need for small businesses. Without a place for people in a community to gather, holidays and events take place primarily in people’s private homes or venues. Small businesses offer public space for connection. As we approach the winter season—a time in which we counter dark days with festive lights, and loneliness with gatherings—this offering is most welcome.

This holiday season, I urge you to explore the small businesses in your communities. You may be surprised by what your community has to offer, and what you have to offer it in return. If the movies below are anything to go on, you could find yourself stumbling into anything from a chocolate shop to a raunchy holiday revue!

A Red Tape-Wrapped Holiday

A local historian and an ambitious real estate developer join forces in Holiday in Happy Hollow (Lifetime). Gracie’s new project is complicated by the discovery that a Christmas tree farm she purchased once gave away one-foot deeds to locals. To bring her project to fruition, she teams up with historian Jack to track down the land-owning locals and persuade them to part with their coveted portions of the farm. However, things may not go to plan...

Explore preservation law stories and legal advocacy resources.

Pop-Ups and Risqué Revues: Celebrating the Holidays at Historic Bars

In Hanukkah on the Rocks (Hallmark), Tory—a recently unemployed corporate lawyer—embarks on a journey across Chicago to find Hanukkah candles. Her search leads her to a local bar full of offbeat regulars, whom Tory finds herself connecting to. Tory embraces this newfound community and works to help the site by transforming it into a stylish pop-up holiday bar she dubs “Hanukkah on the Rocks.” Surrounded by new friends and experiences, Tory begins to question her true calling.

The Merry Gentlemen (Netflix) follows Ashley as she works to save the Rhythm Room, her parents’ bar and performing arts venue. Using her experience as a Broadway dancer, Ashley attempts to choreograph a holiday revue that will raise enough funds to preserve the site. To do so, she seeks help from a handful of the Rhythm Room’s regulars. As the clock ticks toward Christmas, Ashley hopes she’s done enough to save her family’s business.

Explore more stories about historic bars.

A Wintry, Ancient Norse Treasure Hunt

Archaeologist Stefanie teams up with her ex-husband (who happens to be an expert in ancient Norse languages) in The Christmas Quest (Hallmark). Together, the duo travel to Iceland to hunt for the legendary treasure of the Yule Lads. However, they soon discover others are searching for the treasure as well. Swept up in a thrilling race, Stefanie and Chase try to secure the treasure before it falls into the hands of someone who may wish to exploit it for their own gain.

Visit a historic ice rink this season for an icy adventure of your own.

A National Register Listing for Christmas

A Vintage Christmas (Great American Family) revolves around Tessa, a historian and preservationist who seeks to protect the historic post office building in her hometown by getting it listed on the National Register of Historic Places. However, her plans are complicated when Noah, a business developer, arrives in town. Noah wants to tear down the historic post office and replace it with a modern office building. As Christmas approaches, the two attempt to work together to reach a compromise.<

Explore more National Register guides and stories.
Explore stories about historic post offices.

An American Business Abroad