Local business owners optimistic following holiday sales

by Rachel Esterline, Vision Mid Michigan

Cathy Smith, owner of Basketree in Mount Pleasant, said people were more aware of shopping local during this past holiday season and holiday business was up from last year.

Her experience echoes that of other retailers both locally and nationally following better-than-expected sales that some say point to signs of an economic recovery. According to the National Retail Federation, U.S. holiday sales gained 1.1 percent to $446.8 billion – much better than a previously forecasted 1 percent decline.

“Shopping local is good for any economy, especially Michigan,” said Smith.

Smith hands out postcard-sized flyers about the 3/50 Project to each of her customers. The project focuses on encouraging people to spend money in downtown stores. According to the 3/50 Project, $68 of every $100 spent in independently owned stores returns to the local community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures.

“Our downtown as a whole is moving forward,” Smith said. “It started out slower in September and October, but it made up for it in November and December.”

She attributes the holiday business increase to the increase in retail locations in downtown Mount Pleasant, as well as the three main events each year; Mardi Gras, Ladies Night Out and Dickens Christmas.

“Buying habits were different this year,” Smith said. “People were giving a lot more little things.”

Traffic at the Midland Mall may have been slightly down, but shopping was stronger later in the season, according to Claudia Frederick, group marketing director for CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.
“Midland Mall had a successful holiday with a favorable 4 percent increase in sales,” she said. “The majority of our stores experienced high single to double digit increases over last year.”
Consumers seemed to have a bit more confidence in their spending for the season than what early predictions indicated, Frederick said.

The shops in downtown Midland also were optimistic about the past holiday season.

Linda Dana, a co-owner of Imagine that!, said the local artist co-op in Midland was affected by the economy, but not terribly.

“We did better than we did two years ago, considering the economic climate,” added Karen Hein, another co-owner.

Joanne Wessel, manager of Peel ‘N Pare in Midland, attributes some of the season’s success to Holly Jolly Days.

“I think our traffic was up. It was up in the whole downtown district,” Wessel said.

Jon Burroughs, owner of The Michigan Shoppe, said the 2009 was a strong year.

“It was definitely strong than 2008,” Burroughs said.