The Willow Glen Resident

Photograph by Lea Tauriello

The Midas Touch: Susan Meyer arranges a holiday display in the window that brings customers flocking to the Eclectic Touch.

Merchants report on strong holiday sales

By Michelle Ku

As the holiday season winds down, Willow Glen merchants say they are pleased with a successful shopping season despite renovations at Valley Fair which could have attracted crowds away from Willow Glen. All along the Avenue, merchants agreed that business has been "very good" and that it is up over last year.

"We had a good Christmas season," said Cathy Karnes, owner of Dodad's Gifts and Antiques. "It's been pretty good and actually business is up. Last year, we were quiet. I would imagine people are busy. I'd be surprised if someone did less business."

While it is too early for the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association to accurately gauge how successful the shopping season was in the area, certain stores and restaurants reported strong sales, said Demetri Rizos, business manager of WGBPA--even brand new ones. "Peet's Coffee and Tea and Noah's Bagels had very good business [the weekend before Christmas]," he said.

Business at some stores was so good that they ran out of stock for customers to purchase. "Business is way ahead of last year," Cathy Adkins, owner of Willow Glen Books, said. "We are out of stock on some titles. I had hoped to sell out on Christmas Eve, not the Saturday before."

At Dodad's, Christmas items were sold by Thanksgiving, said Karnes. The store had to put in a double order on everything to meet customer demand. While many stores did not do anything extra or special to attract customers, the Eclectic Touch extended its hours this year in response to customer requests.

The store is regularly open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, but for the holiday season, it was open until 8 p.m. "I think the extended hours for the convenience of customers helped draw customers," said Deborah Goesling, owner. The Eclectic Touch's elaborate window displays also entice foot traffic, Goesling said. "We have nice window displays to attract customers," Goesling said. "We keep them lit. They are definitely a draw for people to stop by and come in."

Though Valley Fair recently dumped $8 million into a much-publicized renovation, local merchants say they haven't felt an adverse impact. "I think the draw to the Avenue is because we have a unique, specialized shopping district," Rizos explained. "A lot of the local Willow Glen residents enjoy shopping in downtown. They enjoy the personalized service and being able to find parking. It's a swamp at Valley Fair this time of the year."

Merchants agreed, citing the availability of parking, the lack of huge crowds and personalized service as reasons for a good shopping season. Robyn Levine, owner of Details, said business has been good because people frequent Lincoln Avenue stores and often build relationships with the owners. "Everyone tells me they are so glad we're here because they hate going to the stores in the malls," Levine commented.

While Willow Glen no longer has a store like Bergmann's, an all-in-one department store, the area does offer a nice selection of goods with additional benefits.

"I prefer to come here to shop," said Missy Wood, a Rose Garden resident. "I come here and buy from individuals rather than a chain. I like the lack of mallness and the relaxed attitude. I don't like the enclosed spaces and the commercialism of the malls. I can't breathe the air there."

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