Shop owners are urging shoppers to come downtown for the holidays.With the festive decorating underway, the push is now on to get people to come downtown for the holidays, leaving the big box stores for the unique shops on the Downtown Mall.
The Downtown Business Association says shopping should be more about the experience than having to rush around and get those items checked off your list.
"You are not only buying something locally and the money stays local, but you're buying something unique," said the association's Bob Stroh.
Blue Ridge Eco Shop Owner Paige Mattson says they are ready for the rush. This is the store's first holiday on the mall and Mattson wants to cash in on the people who are coming downtown for holiday events. She says they are promoting a number of sales and expanding the types of gifts they can offer customers.
"You can really get your shopping done in one location," said Mattson. "You can get it done in an afternoon and then go out to dinner."
"I love that the shops are really unique and you can find great one of a kind gift items," exclaimed Gail Cornish, a frequent downtown shopper.
The Downtown Business Association says there has been an increase in the number of people on the mall.
Shop owners say from every $100 spent on the mall, $68 goes to the community; the big box stores, $43 to the community; and online, $0 comes back locally.
Reported by Henry Graff
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