Tight economy means Bartlett shops have to impress

When holiday shoppers think about Black Friday, thoughts of packed malls and shopping centers dominate.

Downtown Bartlett rarely comes to mind. Yet many of the downtown businesses bring in a fair chunk of change during the holidays. They also offer a quainter alternative to the crowded malls, said Denise Knickrehm, the owner of Back in Bloom, an antique and home decorating shop in downtown Bartlett.

“Usually because on Black Friday everyone goes to the malls, we run an open house the week before,” Knickrehm said.

The holiday open house brought in customers to the two-story shop before the busiest shopping period of the year hit.

“Everyone is buying things around the holidays,” she said. “Everybody can get the same thing at Target, but ours is of a higher quality and very unique.”

Once coming to visit, customers are more likely to purchase items after touring 20 different trees in holiday-themed rooms, Knickrehm said.

“We have many things to decorate for the holidays,” Knickrehm said. “Some even come to see how they can decorate.”

Though Back in Bloom sells holiday knick-knacks year-round, Knickrehm sees a boost in business during the winter months because her loyal customers return to purchase gifts.

Laurie Gogoel, of Gogo’s Goodies & Gifts, said holidays are not her busiest time of year.

“Summer is by far the busiest with all the kids off from school,” Gogoel said. “But now since these Webkinz were brought in, sales have really gone up.”

The candy shop recently started selling Webkinz, a popular stuffed animal similar to Beanie Babies, except each one comes with a special code to access a virtual version of their pet.

“These are so hot — now I expect us to supersede last Christmas,” Gogoel said.

Gogoel is also counting on sales of one of the store’s best selling items: retro candy. Candy such as wax bottles, candy dots, satellite wafers and candy cigarettes are favorite stocking stuffers. But Gogoel is one of the few retailers to remain optimistic about this holiday season.

Investors’ spirits sank as quickly as the Dow Jones after the first holiday weekend results came in Monday. Reports indicated sales were up from last year, but money spent was down, said Siaw-Peng Wan, finance professor at Elmhurst College.

“More people are buying, but for much less,” Wan said. “They have to make some cuts somewhere, and Christmas gifts may be something that has to go.”

This weekend customers did buy many door busters, but not much of anything else.The economy may fluctuate, depending on how much more retailers are willing to offer customers on a tight budget, said Wan.

“People may be holding off on buying early,” he said. “Retailers might still be looking to pull out all the stops.”

Sarah McMahon, the owner of the Bartlett Coin Shop, 138 S. Oak Ave., said she gained four new customers on Black Friday. Though she said it is difficult to run specials on materials like silver and nickel, many customers come into the shop during the holidays.

“Some are home from college from the holidays, and others want to buy gifts,” she said.

Some parents come in with a wish list, while others just wish to explore.

“For kids, this is their favorite time of year,” McMahon said.