Christmas Express takes off on Small Business Saturday in Lincoln

 

[November 30, 2020] 

Saturday was the official Small Business Saturday around the country. In Lincoln it served as kick off day for the two week Christmas Express shopping experience in downtown Lincoln.

As has been the case with about every day of our lives since March, the day-long event was not the same as we’ve seen in past years, but it was none-the-less, a good day for downtown merchants.

The Christmas Express shopping was initiated in 2019 by the Downtown Lincoln merchant group as a plan to increase traffic into their stores in the first few weeks of December. The key to the express is the ticket that shoppers can pick up at any participating business. With the ticket, shoppers have the opportunity to buy their Christmas gifts and possibly win a valuable gift for themselves at the end of the ride.

Shoppers receive a ticket and get it ‘punched’ or stamped when they check out at one of the participating stores. When they have made purchases at half or more of the local businesses, they can turn their ticket in and be eligible for a drawing.

This year the prize will be a gift basket containing no less than $500 in gifts and gift cards from downtown businesses. Shoppers have until December 12th to get all the stamps they need to qualify for the drawing. On December 18th a drawing will be done live online via the Downtown Lincoln social media page.

On Saturday morning a walk around town found most of the businesses moderately busy. Because of the call to social distance and limit the number of people inside each building at one time, there were no large crowds, but there were shoppers.

Talking with Theresa and Gary Schieffer at Copper Penny the morning had been slow but there had been customers. While visiting with LDN, four shoppers, a group of ladies shopping together came in to take a look around. Later, another shopper said that she had visited Copper Penny first in her day of shopping and bought a Christmas Tree that ended up going along with her to several other stores as she shopped her way back to her car.

At Mary Todd Hallmark, which is a large store, there were a number of shoppers. Everyone appeared to be respectful of the mask request at the door as well as social distancing. Shoppers at that store have a huge variety of items from which to choose, and making decisions on that perfect gift for someone special had to have been difficult with so many options.

Roger Matson at National Rent to Own was also having a decent day though a bit sad. For Matson who has worked in the same location for the last few decades was participating in his last Christmas in downtown Lincoln. His business, which is now owned by a new chain – Rent One, will be moving in February. While the move should benefit his business, Matson said he’s going to miss the downtown area. In the meantime, Matson and staff have a full line of great big-ticket items for Christmas this year, including a large inventory of new flat screen televisions. So, if a new TV for dad is on the list be sure to stop in.

Small Town Creations was one busy store on Saturday. With several customers in the building Williams didn’t really have time to comment on her day, but the customers snatching up neat gift items told the story pretty well on its own.

For those who were looking to get into the Christmas mood, a stop at Debbie's Downtown Floral would indeed have done the trick. The shop is floor to ceiling Christmas and so beautifully decorated that it feels like a winter wonderland all on its own. On Saturday, the well-known grand piano was being put to good use as a pianist treated visitors to a wide selection of traditional Christmas carols throughout the morning.

Indigo Ink didn’t have that many customers, but was still busy. The automated quilter “Millie” was busy adding swirling stitches to a quilt top that will no doubt make a lovely gift for some little one.

There were several guests shopping at Mystic Rose, which is understandable as the store offers a beautiful selection of antique and vintage items that are sure to strike a chord with the collector in anyone’s family.

Lincoln CBD is also a participating business in the Christmas Express. The shop was not loaded with customers on Saturday morning, but it was reported that business is going well and the owners Jaimmie and Mark Harvey are happy with their decision to come to the community.

Eileen Mullins at Sir Renna Tea is another one who is happy with her decision to come into the community. On Saturday she talked about her decision to open a store in Lincoln. She said that she really didn’t intend to come into this specific location because she thought it was too large. Her store on North Kickapoo Street, next door to Abe’s was available when she was looking and it kept coming up in her research. Each time she would say “no, it’s too big.” However she finally decided to come take a look. She said when she walked in and saw the counter area and the layout she was sold, and knew this was her new home for her new business. Mullins said she has never looked back, never regretted her decision. She felt at home in our community from day one.

On Saturday, she was waiting on customers, not at a rushed pace but at a steady pace. Happy with the way the day was going, Eileen was all smiles, although we couldn’t see them for the mask!

Another merchant who was all smiles that showed even behind the mask was Helen Rainforth at Abe’s Carmelcorn Shoppe. The store was busy, but again not over crowded. Shoppers were busy choosing, buying and getting their tickets stamped at a steady pace. Abe’s has been in Lincoln for decades and has grown and evolved into a shop that offers not just popcorn and candy but also many non-edible gift items. From home décor to kitchen items, to special gifts for little ones, the shop has something for every member of the family.

Rainforth is another one who loves her town, her community, her store, and her customers. She noted that she has always been happy to be a downtown merchant, and loves being in her store seven days a week.

All the downtown merchants are optimistic that they will have a decent holiday selling season. For many of them, they rely on their December sales to carry them through the first 60 to 90 days of the new year. This year more than perhaps ever before, they are concerned about what their sales will look like come Christmas Day. They really need the support of the community and are hoping that the outstanding selection of merchandise they have to offer will draw shoppers from near and far.

The Christmas Express will continue through to December 12th. During that time, there are several unique activities that will occur on Saturday’s Look for surprises around the square such as Santa and Mrs. Claus on December 4th, a strolling Charles Dickens character, perhaps some other characters from our favorite Christmas stories, and possibly some strolling minstrels.

There is also a special evening with Santa in the works. Santa in the window will take place on Monday, December 7th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sorrento’s Pizzeria on Broadway Street.

Santa will be inside the restaurant sitting in the window. Children will have the opportunity to come to the window and visit with Santa via a two-way radio system.

The Traveling Top Hat may also be there that evening with warm beverages and sweet treats available while kids wait their turn at the window.

The downtown businesses have spent a lot of time trying to think outside the box this year so that they and the people of our community can still have a traditional Christmas shopping experience while observing the current coronavirus restrictions.

We hope that the community will come out and show their support for these businesses. They need us and to keep our downtown alive, we most certainly need them!

[Nila Smith]