Shoppers keep merchants busy

For merchants, the day after Christmas is often the second busiest shopping day of the year.

Merchants throughout Woodward stood on both sides of the fence this year with regards as to whether or not they’d be open the day after Christmas. Many larger stores, especially those who were part of a national chain or corporation were open as Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas are the only holidays they’re closed, while many privately owned stores and businesses decided to take an extra day off to spend with family and friends.

Despite the warm weather bringing people out and about Monday, most stores along Main Street remained closed.

“They just decided to do it that way this year,” said Kathy Sauls, owner of All Things Special.

“I was kind of surprised. They always say that this is the busiest shopping day of the year,” said Jay Mead, owner of Mead Jewlers.

“I just had a good day last year and I decided I’d try it again this year,” Sauls said.

Sauls’ store had a fairly large after Christmas sale this year. Sauls said she was hoping to clear out holiday merchandise in order to make room for the new inventory she’ll be getting in January.

“Hopefully I’ll have some new stuff to put out,” said Sauls.

Merchants who were open Monday were either making a profit off early bird shoppers hitting post Christmas sales to get a head start on next year’s holiday shopping and decorating, or gift recipients spending gift cards and making returns and exchanges.

Mead said many of his customers Monday were stopping by to resize jewlery they’d received as Christmas gifts, especially rings.

According to Carla Nichols, manager of Maurice’s on Main Street, the store actually profited from customers returning and exchanging Christmas gifts as they hit Christmas sales spending money and gift cards.

“The main reason we were open was to service our customers, and we’ve been packed from the minute we opened the door,” said Nichols.

Many of the stores downtown who decided to remain closed Monday along with federal and state offices will be having their after-Christmas sales today.