Warwick businesses enjoy successful holiday season in 2012
WARWICK — Although the media reported a disappointing holiday season for brick and mortar retail stores in general, the consensus of the downtown Warwick merchants was quite different.
“Our store enjoyed a strong season,” said Mayor Michael Newhard, who owns Newhard’s, The Home Source, at 39 Main St. “It began in the Fall and continued into January. I believe our diversity and fair competitive pricing has helped make this season a success.”
Considering the continued slow economy and all the natural disasters this past year, Home for the Holidays and Merchant Guild co-chair Mary Beth Schlichting, owner of Frazzleberries Gift Shop, was happy to report an increase in shoppers in her store and throughout the Village.
Activities to increase foot traffic
“The village was vibrant this year,” she said. “People were shopping local. And they loved all the activities, especially the horse and wagon rides.”
However, she added that shoppers, although more numerous than previous years, were not spending as much as usual.
“We sold more but the dollars were down,” she said. “Some other business owners also reported their bottom lines were not much better than last year but we did our job and it was a good season. I’m more concerned about 2013.”
Co-chair Debbie Iurato reported that the Merchant Guild had worked hard to make the village a welcoming and pleasant place to come and spend the day.
“We had an amazing season with the horse and buggy rides,” she said. “They were filled to capacity nearly every weekend. And overall we felt it was a successful holiday season, especially on weekends where foot traffic was heavy and parking was at a premium. Of course, each business is different and we haven’t had a chance to talk to everyone yet, but we feel that our message of shopping and dining locally was heard.”
The weather was beautiful on Sunday, Nov. 18, and the turnout was excellent for the beginning of the annual celebration of Home for the Holidays.
The Warwick Merchant Guild and participating merchants had long been planning a bigger and better holiday season with a host of new ideas to encourage everyone to come on down, shop local and enjoy fun for the family. And it worked.
Angel Tree gift program also successful
“Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors we were able to offer more free horse and buggy rides than ever,” said Iurato. “And with Christmas caroling, the participation of the Warwick Historical Society, the decorations, the first gingerbread contest, the Angel Tree donations and so forth, Warwick was a fun place to visit.”
Iurato was especially thankful to Betsy Mitchell of Track 7 Postal Service and Jen Haesche of La Petite Cuisine for the record-breaking success of the Angel Tree gift program in support of the Warwick Ecumenical Council.
“Many thanks,” she said, “also go out to Tarin Hackbarth, Crissy Hohmann and Nicole Repose of Etched in Time Engraving for coordinating our first ever Gingerbread House Contest. And thanks to TD Bank North for so kindly offering us space to display the entries.”
There was also the third annual “Small Business Saturday,” a campaign backed by American Express on Nov. 24.
Shoppers came out in droves to the downtown business district not only on that Saturday but also throughout the entire weekend and those that followed.
“It all made for a hometown experience that no mall can offer,” said Schlichting. “And the Merchant Guild would like to thank everyone for supporting us. We extend our very best wishes to all for a happy and healthy New Year.”
By Roger Gavan