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, Denise Moriarty, and Jeff Hemler. 

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

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. 

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