Becca Gherardini works long hours, sometimes until 9 p.m. But it’s a good thing.
Gherardini’s store, Museum Quality Framing in Magnolia, has been busy this holiday season with sales up significantly from last year. The holiday season has proven to be profitable for her and many business owners in Queen Anne and Magnolia.
“We still have people come to us from all over because they don’t trust anyone else, which is nice,” Gherardini said, adding that most of her customers live in Magnolia. “We’re always busy [at this time]. There’s always something going on.”
Gherardini said shoppers have been more willing to spend, especially on photo frames and local art.
“There’s also been a lot of impulse buying on higher-priced items,” she said.
Museum Quality Framing added hours on Sundays. In January, the store will revert to closing on Sundays again.
Other Magnolia stores are doing just as well.
Chloe & Dillon, a Magnolia fashion boutique that has only been open a few weeks (it has another location in Eastlake), is doing “fantastic,” according to owner Kimberly Carney.
“Our business has tripled,” she said, contrasting sales to the Eastlake location.
Men’s sales have been stronger, but women’s clothing has sold well, too, she said. The store carries an array of expensive clothing from T-shirts to sweaters to coats.
Daryl McNutt, friend of Carney’s who works in marketing, said Magnolia is just the place for this store and that this time of year is perfect for such an opening.
“You’re looking at high prices, a $200 pair of jeans, like what you’d get at Nordstrom or Macy’s. I think the store brings a different energy to the neighborhood, and a great customer base, as well,” he said. “This holiday season, you see people tentative because of the [so-called] fiscal cliff, but people are still spending.”
McNutt predicated that “there will be a 2-percent growth rate, not the 7 percent we were hoping for, but people are still spending on pricier things, quality things.”
Keeping stores open
Lauren Formicola owner of Charley + May Co. and president of the Queen Anne Chamber of Commerce said local stores are robust this holiday season, with sales up overall.
In her store, she sees many trends. “Customers are looking for cool gift ideas for families. They are also looking for lightweight things to ship. They want to buy from local designers and are looking for items that have meaning,” she said.
Customers are also demanding the special stuff.
“We have a book by a local writer that’s sold out twice,” she said. “They want cookbooks, stocking-stuffers and more small gifts, as opposed to larger items.”
While her store does not have a set schedule, she said it will stay open after 7 p.m., until as late as 9 p.m.
Jennifer Young, owner of Serendipity Café and Magnolia Chamber of Commerce board member, reported her café has been getting busier, too.
“It’s been a great year for us — busier than ever — with a great crowd of people stopping in and getting coffee,” she said.
For Young, it is no surprise that local businesses are doing well.
“People said they want to shop local because they don’t want stores to lose business. They’ve seen so many of them close,” she said.