Copyright 2017 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Fred Hayes
“Sharing Christmas”
Premieres Sunday, December 10 at 8 PM ET/PT on Hallmark Channel
Premieres Sunday, December 10 at 8 PM ET/PT on Hallmark Channel
Stephanie Nichols (Ellen Hollman) practically grew up at the Christmas Shop, the old-fashioned, holiday boutique her parents opened 40 years ago in the atrium of the Trolley Square building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Over those four decades, the store became a neighborhood treasure, known for its festive Christmas Eve block parties and the bespoke tree ornaments commemorating milestone events in customers’ lives. Now Iris (Pamela Roylance) and Dan Nichols (David Starzyk) are retiring to Long Island, leaving the store in their daughter’s very capable hands as of December 1. Though sad to see her parents go, Stephanie is brimming with enthusiasm for the month ahead. There is no place she would rather be and nothing she wants to change.
But change may be unavoidable. A developer has bought the Trolley Square building and is terminating the leases of the atrium’s retail tenants as of December 31. Stephanie is still absorbing the news when closing time brings a last-minute customer, Michael Kilpatrick (Bobby Campo), who is charmed by both the store and its owner. When she makes passing reference to her lease dilemma, Michael offers to help her look for a solution, explaining that he has experience in real estate. What neither of them knows in that moment is that Michael works for the very same property company that is kicking Stephanie out.
Adding to the awkwardness, Michael has been assigned to oversee the new project at Trolley Square, which will require his frequent presence on-site. In her determination to save her parents’ legacy, Stephanie challenges Michael to spend some time at the Christmas Shop to see for himself how unique and special it is. Though Michael has some trepidation, his boss, Helen MacLaine (Cynthia Gibb), embraces the idea as a way to make the transition easier on Stephanie.
Michael’s acceptance initially comes as a surprise to Stephanie, but she is nonetheless proud to acquaint him with the many varieties of holiday merchandise that fill the store’s aisles. After years of being “too busy” to enjoy Christmas, Michael warms to the store’s merry spirit and Stephanie begins to trust his good intentions. As the days fly by, Stephanie and Michael realize they are falling for one another. With December 31 on the horizon, the question looms: will love win or will real estate divide them?
