|
Local retailers see good start to holiday shopping season |
|
|
|
Friday, November 28 2008 |
By TJ HEMLINGER
Staff Writer
Many Columbia City stores opened early today in recognition of “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving when the Christmas shopping season officially begins.
Peebles Department Store at 641 Countryside Drive reported that people were lined up outside when it opened its doors at 7 a.m., three hours earlier than normal.
“We’ve been very busy,” Crystal Hunter, the assistant manager, said. “Since the price of gas has gone down, I think Christmas shopping will probably go up.”
Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware, 200 Diplomat Drive, opened at its regular time of 7 a.m.
A spokesman for the store reported that there had been “a lot” of people in so far today. He was expecting people to spend “about the same” this holiday season.
Katy Hearld, an employee at Bravo Baskets and Gifts, 217 W. Van Buren St., said the store opened two hours early at 7 a.m. and sales were going “very well.”
“A lot of people have been in,” she said. “We’ve had a good run.
“We’ve hoping for a little more spending this season, but practically that may not happen.”
The store manager at Tractor Supply Co., 528 N. Main St., Aritta Booker, said her store opened at 6 a.m. instead of the normal 8 a.m., and that the flow of customers had been “pretty good and steady.”
“For our kind of business I think people will be spending more, buying feed, for example.”
David Ball of Ball Furniture, 212 W. Van Buren St., was so busy he barely had time to talk on the phone.
“We’re doing very well,” he said, adding that he thought people would be spending about the same for the holiday season. |
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, December 02 2008 )
|
