Midtown Makers Gift Shop - BLOG

Thank you Ballymena Means for the fabulous video, we are all super happy with our make over, hope all our Members and customers like it too.

In 2015, Ballymena’s town centre was introduced to a small, cuddly character who would go on to win hearts across the globe—Bertie the Bear. Commissioned by the Ballymena Business Improvement District (BID), Bertie starred in a four-minute Christmas short film that quickly became a viral sensation. What started as a local festive project soon grew into something much bigger, a story that captured the heart and soul of Ballymena and proudly placed it on the world map.

On a quiet winter’s night, when snowflakes danced softly outside and the hearth crackled with gentle warmth, a row of stockings hung by the fire. They weren’t just pieces of cloth — they were little pockets of hope, ready to be filled with love and kindness. Just like the animals in the stable on that first Christmas night, the stockings remind us of humility, peace, and the joy found in simple things.

This September, the team at Midtown Makers were invited to join the new Mid & East Antrim Neighbourhood Tourism Hub's familiarisation tours, led by Patricia McEldowney of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. Catriona, Jim and I were joined by Hub Members from Carrickfergus, Larne and Cullybackey to explore some of the many places of interest in the Borough.