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As of Saturday afternoon, things were looking good.
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Marcus Hughes looks over the backpacks and camping gear at Three Rivers Outdoors at 400 Main St. in downtown La Crosse.
Erik Daily |
Friday had been one of her top three days for sales since opening Sideboard Fine Gourmet Kitchenware, 509 Main St., in May.
And just before 3 p.m. Saturday, a steady stream of customers rang up purchases, and one complimented Anderson on her store.
“Thanks,” she replied. “That’s nice to hear when you’re sticking your head out in this economy.”
The day after Black Friday — which the Wall Street Journal deemed “Bleak Friday” this year — downtown La Crosse store owners were generally optimistic about Christmas sales.
Owners and staff at three stores — Three Rivers Outdoors, Silver Hide Out and Dale’s For Men & Women — said sales were up on the Friday after Thanksgiving compared with last year. Leithold Music co-owner Abbie Leithold-Gerzema said traffic was up in her store.
“It’s just been berserk in here yesterday and today,” said Gabe Berendes, manager at Three Rivers, 400 Main St. “It’s much improved over last year — big time.”
Around the corner at Silver Hide Out, 510 Main St., co-owner Chuck Meir didn’t have time for an interview.
“I haven’t even had lunch today,” he said as he turned to help a customer.
Many downtown shoppers, loyal to local businesses, criticized mall culture.
“I avoid the mall like the plague,” said Barb Saathoff, 53, on her way from Sideboard to Three Rivers. “It’s crowded. It’s lots of the same stuff over and over again.”
Ariel Ruhling, 23, shopped with her boyfriend and his mother on Saturday.
Ruhling estimated she’ll do 30 percent to 50 percent of her Christmas shopping downtown.
Although it can be more expensive, she said while shopping at Dale’s, 121 4th St. South, “there’s a lot of stuff you could never find at the mall.”
As she talked, her boyfriend came over wearing a light brown hooded sweatshirt.
“I’ll get myself a Christmas present today,” he said.
Jim Ruen, 57, makes a weekly shopping trip from Lanesboro, Minn., to downtown La Crosse with his wife.
While it’s farther than Rochester, Minn., he said, La Crosse’s downtown has friendlier store clerks and the environment has more personality.
“La Crosse has done a wonderful job at maintaining itself,” Ruen said, standing on Fourth Street. “I could walk this street for hours just looking at the buildings. And it’s alive. There are people out here.”
