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While they may not have campers outside their front doors this morning, Nevada County businesses are hoping for a little Black Friday magic to ward off the recession blues.
This year's sales have slumped along with the national economy. Countywide, sales activity dropped 23.4 percent over last year in the second quarter. Nevada City saw a 41.6 percent drop in second quarter sales year-over-year, according to reports released this month from Nevada County and Nevada City.
New hope for business owners — and the local governments that depend on their sales tax revenue — could come with the Christmas shopping season.
“Historically, that quarter of sales tax has been good,” said Grass Valley Accounting Supervisor Maryanne Hoffler.
Business people around the county are vying for their share of holiday dollars, especially during this pivotal shopping weekend.
Family-owned Hills Flat Lumber Co. is one store hoping to beat out competition down the hill.
Before moving to a larger building in Grass Valley in 2007, they sold just hardware and lumber. Now, their inventory includes everything from Snuggies to slow cookers.
“We've got a lot of aggressive prices,” said co-owner Jason Pardini.
For others, like Nevada City Crystal and Glass, Black Friday is just a blip in the ledger books. Rather than half-price laptops, owner Dave Iorns sells sparkly baubles, and he said the Friday frenzy doesn't translate to stores like his.
“It's a totally different type of person who looks for those bargains,” Iorns said.
What he's waiting for is Victorian Christmas visitors.
“They do tend to be in a purchasing mode and in the Christmas spirit,” Iorns said. “Christmas is very big for me.”
In downtown Grass Valley, Foothill Mercantile was cueing up the Bing Crosby music for the intercom in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
Last year, this weekend was the biggest ever for the store, said owner Susan Amick.
People “are just programmed to start Christmas shopping that weekend,” she said.
Visitors over Thanksgiving weekend — and for Cornish Christmas on Friday — play into the weekend's historic success, and Amick said she's scheduling a big crew to work over the next few days.
Non-traditional businesses are also hoping for Black Friday fallout.
As If Gallery, located in Grass Valley, is coinciding their small works art show with the Christmas season. The idea is to sell smaller pieces at smaller, more palatable prices, said studio and gallery director Amanda Paoletti.
The gallery's Black Friday goal is attracting people who want to show their out-of-town Thanksgiving houseguests Nevada County's artsy, classy side.
“It's a day when most people don't work,” Paoletti said. “It's a time for people to show off their town and what a great cultural center it is.”
To contact Staff Writer Michelle Rindels, e-mail mrindels@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4247.
This year's sales have slumped along with the national economy. Countywide, sales activity dropped 23.4 percent over last year in the second quarter. Nevada City saw a 41.6 percent drop in second quarter sales year-over-year, according to reports released this month from Nevada County and Nevada City.
New hope for business owners — and the local governments that depend on their sales tax revenue — could come with the Christmas shopping season.
“Historically, that quarter of sales tax has been good,” said Grass Valley Accounting Supervisor Maryanne Hoffler.
Business people around the county are vying for their share of holiday dollars, especially during this pivotal shopping weekend.
Family-owned Hills Flat Lumber Co. is one store hoping to beat out competition down the hill.
Before moving to a larger building in Grass Valley in 2007, they sold just hardware and lumber. Now, their inventory includes everything from Snuggies to slow cookers.
“We've got a lot of aggressive prices,” said co-owner Jason Pardini.
For others, like Nevada City Crystal and Glass, Black Friday is just a blip in the ledger books. Rather than half-price laptops, owner Dave Iorns sells sparkly baubles, and he said the Friday frenzy doesn't translate to stores like his.
“It's a totally different type of person who looks for those bargains,” Iorns said.
What he's waiting for is Victorian Christmas visitors.
“They do tend to be in a purchasing mode and in the Christmas spirit,” Iorns said. “Christmas is very big for me.”
In downtown Grass Valley, Foothill Mercantile was cueing up the Bing Crosby music for the intercom in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
Last year, this weekend was the biggest ever for the store, said owner Susan Amick.
People “are just programmed to start Christmas shopping that weekend,” she said.
Visitors over Thanksgiving weekend — and for Cornish Christmas on Friday — play into the weekend's historic success, and Amick said she's scheduling a big crew to work over the next few days.
Non-traditional businesses are also hoping for Black Friday fallout.
As If Gallery, located in Grass Valley, is coinciding their small works art show with the Christmas season. The idea is to sell smaller pieces at smaller, more palatable prices, said studio and gallery director Amanda Paoletti.
The gallery's Black Friday goal is attracting people who want to show their out-of-town Thanksgiving houseguests Nevada County's artsy, classy side.
“It's a day when most people don't work,” Paoletti said. “It's a time for people to show off their town and what a great cultural center it is.”
To contact Staff Writer Michelle Rindels, e-mail mrindels@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4247.
