News - Aftermath of Black Friday

“Everyone seemed to have a good Black Friday which was very surprising,” said Downtown Business Association President and owner of The Candy Co. Dawn Oesch.

While Friday and Saturday saw the most foot traffic down Broadway, Sunday slowed down due to poor weather.

“For some, this year was better than the past few,” Oesch added. “Weather always plays a factor in downtown shopping so Sunday was a slower day.”

With the current state of the economy, Black Friday seemed to be a relief.

“Everything has been doom and gloom for the past few months,” Oesch said. “This was good for downtown shops.”

To get shoppers out and about on more than just Black Friday, the DBA is hosting “Bag Day.” Shoppers with designated DBA bags may bring these bags to participating stores on Saturday, Dec. 13 to receive 20 percent off designated items that fit in the bag. Shoppers can begin picking up bags during the Victorian Streetwalk, Dec. 4, through Dec. 12 at any participating stores.

They include: Alpine Sport Shop, Brindisi’s Restaurant, The Candy Co., Celtic Treasures, Clothes Horse, Crafters Gallery, The Gap, Grey Gelding Bistro, Haute Mama Maternity, Impressions, Lifestyles, Lillian’s Restaurant, The Local, Lyrical Ballad, Menges & Curtis, Mimosa Gallery, The Pink Paddock, Rockabella, Saratoga Guitar, Saratoga Salsa and Spice, Sloppy Kisses, Spa.Net Computer Services, Symmetry Gallery and Violets of Saratoga.

“Bag Day isn’t just an effort to get shoppers downtown, it’s also a ‘thank you’ to the locals who keep us running,” Oesch said. “It’s hard to compete with big box stores and their advertising methods, but it’s the locals that keep us in business.”

With events such as Bag Day, Victorian Streetwalk and Restaurant Week, Oesch is optimistic that downtown will prosper this holiday season.

“I’m an optimist by nature, but I really believe that as long as we keep positive and have fun with it, we’ll all do well and have a great, successful season,” she said.

G. Willikers, a local toy store, has kept special customer services that most stores have let go by the wayside to bring shoppers into the store, owner Linda Ambrosino said. Gift wrapping, putting together toys and personal service are important features that are rare in stores today, she added.

“Our prices are good and our customer service is very important to us,” she said. “We do everything to the best of our ability because our customers are important to us.”

Not only is G. Willikers working to get customers in their door as opposed to bigger box stores, they are hosting special nights with characters such as Mr. and Mrs. Bill and Santa’s Elves and having fundraisers for local organizations such as the National Museum of Dance.

“I’m not overly optimistic for this year’s season because of the economy, but I’m a bit optimistic. I don’t think it’ll be the worst year we’ve ever seen,” Ambrosino said. “In times like these, people are hunkering down and staying home with the family more than going out. We sell the fun, classic games as well as some new ones. Games are a cheaper alternative to a night out and fun for a family to enjoy together.”