News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
A survey of retailers indicated that visitor traffic was up from previous years and sales either matched or exceeded last year's. The strong weekend sales reflected a nationwide pattern that predicts that consumers will spend more this holiday season.
Reports nationwide showed shoppers thronging malls, but there were plenty left over to shop in Sisters.
"It was nice to see the town with people in it," said Ray Buselli of the Shirt Stop. "When there's people in town, there's business."
Buselli said the Shirt Stop's sales were definitely up from last year's holiday weekend and probably better than the previous two years.
Buselli's report was typical throughout Sisters. Clothing seemed to sell well all over town.
Kay McLaren of Sisters Mercantile said she sold lots of sherpa material (fleece) clothing.
"That seems to be what everybody wants," McLaren said. "If it's fuzzy, they want it."
Winter clothing and outdoor gear sales were the standout for Mountain Supply of Sisters, who, according to owner Todd Williver, exceeded their numbers from a record holiday last year.
Stores for whom Thanksgiving weekend is traditionally good were pleased with their sales. Christmas Mountain Magic reported foot traffic so heavy it was hard to get around in the store at times. Owner Barbara McConnville believed sale were up overall for the weekend.
Friday and Saturday were the best sales days for all the merchants, with weather probably sending visitors home a little early on Sunday.
Some retailers credited the large turnout for the Sisters Christmas Parade with boosting Saturday's sales.
Kathy Pittman said that Sisters Drug Company and The Cook's Nook were "much busier after the parade than they ever have been" and that Saturday was generally busier than on past holiday weekends.
Adele Sommer at Eurosports noted that the parade brought large numbers of people out from Bend who stuck around to shop. She reported a solid weekend for Eurosports, although they usually do best on weekends when snow brings lots of skiers in for rentals.
The busy weekend left Sisters merchants smiling -- and hoping that the favorable retail climate continues through the rest of the holiday season.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
Reader Comments(0)