About GARMA

Membership

Gettysburg Area Retail Merchants Association (GARMA) is a 501(c)6 established in 1972 as an association to represent business in Gettysburg.

​GARMA is governed by a 9 member Board of Directors

• President: Kathy Gilbert of Gettysburg Day Spa
• Vice President: Jennie Dillon of Artworks
• Treasurer: Ruth Dunlap of Dunlap's Restaurant
• Board Members:  Stephanie Lightner,  Marcia Wilson, Sheilla Combs, David Kelly, and Denise Moriarty

Area businesses and organizations interested in becoming a member can download the Membership Application below and join us! For any questions about membership, please email gettysburgarearetailmerchants@gmail.com

Membership Application

Join today! 

You can now pay your membership dues online and submit the application via email to GARMA here. 

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Our Mission

The Gettyburg Area Retail Merchants' Association mission is to represent the better business interests of the membership of the organization.

Community Service 

• Host Monthly, Annual and Biannual Events in Gettysburg
• Facilitate the start of the Holiday season in Gettysburg with the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Lincoln Square
• Provide, maintain and store Santa's Shanty
• Bring Santa to Gettysburg 
• Advertising for all events including heavy promotion of Annual Tree Lighting and Santa's Shanty
• Purchase, store, maintain, and help install Borough Christmas decorations

Communication 

• Monthly Board Meeting minutes shared with members
• Monthly emails sent to members and interested parties
• Social Media Posts on Facebook
• GARMA is represented at Borough Council meetings, Borough Parking & Safety meetings, and Main Street Gettysburg
• GARMA hotline informs of shoplifters or emergencies

Support Local Efforts 

• Christmas Parade
• Main Street Gettysburg
• Boy Scout Troops
• Chamber of Commerce
• Destination Gettysburg
• Free Parking during Christmas season (selected Areas)
• Decorate meters at the Holidays

Advertising 

• Online promotion of Santa Shanty hours
• Printed promotion of Santa Shanty hours 
• Advertising for special events and promotions
• Group advertising opportunities available (handled individually)
• Membership with Destination Gettysburg to build visitor awareness of Gettysburg businesses; listed in the Attractions & Visitors Guide as well as the Dining Guide to promote member businesses
• Annual ad in Majestic Playbill
• Monthly Column in Chamber Chat (Chamber of Commerce Newsletter)
• Regular article in The Gettysburg Times