|
 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.
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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] |
