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ONLINE FIRST: Downtown merchants see black this Friday
By Justin Messner
The Fort Scott Tribune
With most of the nation's eyes on a plummeting economy, local merchants were preparing for the worst this Black Friday, and for good reason. Prices on most commodities have risen in a steady and unforgiving fashion as stock numbers and employment falls.
However, despite the topsy-turvy national economy, local venders found themselves in a sea of customers Friday, and say they expect the numbers to continue climbing throughout the month of December.
"I'm very pleased to see people are taking advantage of shopping local and the deals local shops are having," said Courtland Hotel and Aveda Day Spa Owner Cheryl Adamson.
Every year, small town store owners find themselves in a fight with larger department stores and metropolitan areas which offer numerous stores in a condensed location. This year, Fort Scott's stores may have won this fight.
"We're staying really busy today. It's great, instead of everyone going to the big cities," said The Iron Star Owner Barbara Trimbur. "We had a really good day today. I thought everyone would be going to Kansas City or Joplin. It's been non-stop since early this morning. It's been amazing."
These comments were echoed by several area venders.
"We were actually really busy today," said Sandi Keating, owner of Sweet Repeats, a local consignment store. "I figured the day after Thanksgiving, everyone would be in the city shopping."
"We've had a great day," said Adamson. "You'd think most people are loaded up and headed out of town for Black Friday."
While no local stores contacted had official numbers regarding sales, all said they were surprised and happy to see such a strong turnout.
Believed to have played a major role in the high volume of local shoppers is something closely associated with the holiday season -- tradition.
"A lot of people are here visiting and their family is bringing them in to shop and show them around," said Trimbur.
Country Cupboard Owner Judy Renard said she sees familiar faces at about this time every year.
"A lot of families get together and make it kind of a tradition to visit our store with the out of town family," she said.
For several stores, the rise in sales has come at a good time. Since July, Fort Scott has been in the process of renovating downtown Fort Scott streets and water lines through a project called StreetScape. And while most store owners have voiced a positive opinion of the upgrades, construction has taken its toll on sales.
Due to the project, numerous streets in the shopping district have remained closed for weeks at a time. These closings have lessened the usual flow of local customers according to Renard.
"We lost ground during that time. We are hoping the rest of December will make up some of those lost sales."
As for the nations economic woes, Trimbur said she believes Fort Scott is not feeling the brunt of these financial stresses.
"I think the media has really up-played the bad economy," she said. "But I think, maybe, it's not so bad here. I hope its not. ... When you look at other places in the country it is scary."
Less than a month away from Christmas, area store owners are anticipating sales to continue in a positive manner. However, Renard said there are some concerns about how well the trend will continue.
"Some people have to pay for food and gas and utilities before they can Christmas shop," she said.