For some area retailers the holiday season was kind for others it was business as usual.
Retail sales are up 15 percent from 2003’s last quarter, says Mark Brownrigg, owner of Brown’s Do-it Center in Goodrich.
Brown’s, a hardware-sporting goods-animal feed store, has been a fixture in the area for the past 23 years.
‘A lot of it’s because of our new addition,? Brownrigg said, ‘and people aren’t hanging on to their money as tight as they were.?
Sales have also increased over 2004’s third-quarter figures, showing a steady increase since the 2004 renovation of the store.
For Jim Pless, owner of Jim’s Jewelry & Repair in Goodrich, a combination of poor traffic, Internet competition, and the cost of gold contributed to modest sales in 2004.
The business has expanded to feature 12 showcases of quality gold, silver, and gemstone jewelry since Pless began moving the business north to the Goodrich area in autumn 2004.
Sales are down from 2003’s last quarter.
‘Actually this is the worst season I’ve had in 24 years of business,? he said.
Although sales were up over 2004’s third-quarter figures, the increase was slight.
‘It didn’t budge too much. There was a little more activity but it’s far short of what it should be.?
Gold sales are especially slow, resulting in customers purchasing small-ticket items.
‘I recall when a nice little gold necklace was $25 to $50, people would buy one for three or four of their kids,? Pless said. ‘There’s too many people opting out with $10, $20, $30 items.?
Pless has concentrated more on inventory than advertising. Because of a ‘perfect? store interior and reasonably-priced items, customers-in-the-know make a special trip to shop for his jewelry.
A lack of walk-in traffic in the M-15 location combined with high gas prices also means customers spent a portion of Christmas budgets on gasoline, said Pless.
A change in inventory affected 2004 last-quarter sales at Jan’s Sport Shop in Goodrich, a 37-year-old business known for its selection of boats.
‘It was down for us,? said owner Brad Hempton, who says the ‘tremendous? change in sales is due to the store’s decision to stop selling snowmobiles.
An increase in boat sales since 2003 somewhat offset the lack of snowmobile sales, and accessory sales were up compared to 2004’s third quarter sales, he said.
Hempton feels the economy has improved for retailers overall.
‘It’s actually a little bit better than it was, but everyone was waiting until after the election to buy.?
David Bonner, of D.L. Bonner Jewelers in Ortonville, expected business to be down due to Michigan’s poor economy, but was ‘very happy? with sales that were drastically up from the third quarter and were close to sales for the same time period last year.
‘Sales from October to December are make or break time for jewelers,? Bonner said, adding that the fourth quarter comprises two-thirds of the year’s total sales.
He said good sales can be credited to quality merchandise and good service as well as ‘great clientele.? Bonner has been in business at 431 Mill St. for 22 years and is anticipating 2005 will be a good year.
Grace Geisler, owner of Willow Pointe Flowers and Gifts, has also been in business a long time?33 years. The shop is located at 425 M-15 and Geisler sells a variety of flowers, swags, wreaths and gift items there, including collectibles such as Precious Moments and Jim Shore Americana, as well as vases, decorations, and seasonal items. She said business is good, although not like it was years ago. ‘People are more conservative than they were prior to 9-11,? Geisler said. ‘The economy is affecting everyone.?
Still, she described their Christmas season as ‘fairly busy,? with a rush at the end, making sales about the same as last Christmas.
Geisler believes poor weather right before Christmas worked in her favor as people shopped closer to home.
‘They didn’t want to fight the malls and they knew they could find unique things here,? she said.
Brenda Heffernan also has a unique shop in Ortonville’Mabelena, a quilting supplies store located at 470 Mill St.
Heffernan had hoped her sales would be up over last year, but said sales are about the same.
‘I think that’s due to the economy,? she said.
Overall, Heffernan said her business is doing very well. She has tripled her inventory since opening in Sept. 2002 and expects January through March to be very good. The first quarter is her best quarter, as people purchase quilting supplies for Christmas gift projects.