'The village is hopping'

WARWICK — Stores in the Village of Warwick didn't open at midnight for Black Friday but on the fourth annual "Small Business Saturday," a campaign backed by American Express, shoppers came out in droves to the downtown business district.

Merchants reported record sales, not only for Saturday but also for the entire weekend.

Small Business Saturday, sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, was created to attract shoppers to local businesses nationwide.

American Express cardholders, who had registered with the company, received $10 worth of credit for spending $10 or more at any participating local merchant. The attractive offer was only good for Saturday, Nov. 30.

Some of the merchants also took advantage of the nationally well-publicized event to offer their own specials and other promotions.

Mary Beth Schlichting, co-chair of the Warwick Merchant Guild and owner of Frazzleberries Gift Shop, said that many of the people who shopped at her store on Saturday were specifically there to take advantage of the $10 American Express credit.

But others came to meet well-known landscape artist Billy Jacobs who was at Frazzleberries that day with his in-store Folk Art Trunk Show.

"It's been crazy," she said.
Extended weekend

Mayor Michael Newhard, who owns Newhard's Gift Shop, reported that not only was this Small Business Saturday good but that the store enjoyed record sales on Friday.

"Since we just celebrated Thanksgiving," he said. "Lots of people were here on an extended weekend. And shopping in the village is a different experience than shopping at a mall."

Newhard cited the many advantages of shopping local including personal service, saving fuel and time, avoiding unnecessary aggravation and fueling the local economy.

Bob Maxwell, co-owner of Style Council and Blue ladies and men's fashion shops, also reported that business was brisk on both Friday and Saturday. He added that it settled back to normal on Sunday when he believes many visitors were heading back home.

Making a mark
Some businesses are geared more for destination shoppers rather than impulse buyers.

Moshe Schwartzberg, owner of Forever Jewelers, reported that business was good but not much different than other weekends during the holiday season.

Nicole Repose, owner of Etched In Time Engraving, said that most of her clients are people who have a specific gift they want engraved or those who are ordering a trophy or plaque for a special event.

"However," she said, "since we do offer one-hour engraving, tourists, who are surprised that we can do that, will often pick out something from our large selection of gift items that they would like engraved. But nevertheless," she added, "today the village is hopping."

- Roger Gavan