Yet another boost to local businesses came Thursday evening with Emporia Main Street’s Moonlight Madness.
20 local businesses extended their hours for the evening of sales in downtown Emporia. Despite the impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to small businesses over the past eight months, many local retailers are reporting a strong start to the 2020 Holiday Shopping season.
Designs by Sharon Owner Sharon Ewing says business has been picking up steadily in recent weeks, especially when it comes to online orders. She says the best comfort someone can receive during the holidays, besides food of course, is flowers.
Cindy Binder of AKA the Sports Fan says foot traffic has been picking up in recent weeks with that trend continuing Thursday. She says while there are numerous options for people to purchase sports merchandise, she believes local shoppers continue to choose AKA because of the warm and welcoming atmosphere inside the shop.
Business has also been strong the past several weeks at Brown’s Shoe Fit Company according to manager Aaron Otto. Ottos says he is grateful for the local community’s support during these trying times.
He adds events such as Moonlight Madness help to keep the “heart of Main Street” beating.
Sweet Granada owner Kim Redeker says foot traffic inside the store had been somewhat slow ahead of the official start of the holiday season. Redeker says business has since picked up and become much more steady in recent weeks.
She credits shopping events such as Moonlight Madness and Small Business Saturday as helping to spark the recent surge in foot traffic.
If you are still searching for that perfect holiday gift this year many businesses have extended sale hours and have made shopping more convenient this year with more online ordering options. To find more information on local businesses and their hours of operation visit EmporiaMainStreet.com.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
{gallery}12-10-2020 Moonlight Madness{/gallery}
