KINGWOOD — Some Kingwood merchants say business was up over the Christmas holiday, while others said they saw a decrease in customers.
But, said some, if business doesn’t remain constant, they may have to reconsider staying downtown.
Sarah Davis, owner of Down Home Diner, said she got busier the week before Christmas and it hasn’t slowed down.
“I didn’t believe it was going to pick back up (after Christmas) because it’s usually slow,” she said. “But it hasn’t stopped.”
Dee Hartman, owner of Designs By Dee, said Christmas is always a busy time for her.
“My work load always increases during Christmas,” she said. “I am always swamped until Christmas over.”
She said this year her business increased enough that her husband, Terry, had to help her with the sewing.
Hartman said she would like to see more activity to draw walk in customers downtown. She said after Christmas her business slacks off. If that trend continues she might have to move to another location.
Debra Kelley, owner of Loved Again Consignments on Price Street, said business is down.
Kelley said although she has winter coats, scarves, hats, sweaters and snow suits for sale, holiday sales did not increase.
“The clothing we sell is used and doesn’t have the tags and cards that new clothing has.” she said. “I believe a lot of people have stopped buying clothes for others over the holidays.
“This is my first year open, but I worked for the previous owner. December has always been one of the slowest months for this business.”
Jean Guillot, owner of The Preston County Inn, said dining slowed down during the Christmas holiday, but catering and parties picked up.
“People shop and they eat where they are shopping,” he said. “Or they are going to Christmas parties.”
He said people heading to Florida for the winter and visiting relatives in other states over the holidays also slows crowds.
Guillot said although walk in dining decreased, calls for catering and parties increased.
He said overall, his business increased by 4.5 percent from Dec. 1 to Dec. 21.
TWEET@DominionPostWV
