Email this story   Print this story   11 comment(s)   RSS Feed

Buying local offers benefits beyond the bargains

By ANNIE ZELM | Saturday, December 13, 2008 5:48 PM EST

As shoppers step inside the historic lofted barn aglow with holiday lights at Sawmill Creek, they'll probably notice a few things are missing.

_{Register photo/JASON WERLING Dixie Vermeeren, one of three owners of the Sawmill Creek Shops, holds a celebrity-inspired Tolani scarf at the Huron business earlier this week.}

Crowds. Long check-out lines. Frantic parents pushing carts.

Though retailers nationwide are bracing for a slower sales season, shoppers still came out in full force on the Friday after Thanksgiving. On that day alone, they spent an average of about $372 -- 7.2 percent more than last year, according to the National Retail Federation.

And about one-third of them visited specialty stores, the federation reported.

Local specialty stores such as Sawmill Creek, Second Hand Rose, Erik's Clothing for Men, Wood Apples and Musicians Alley offer a more laid-back Christmas shopping experience.

The shops also offer an assortment of unique items fit for almost anyone on the list.

For foodies, Sawmill Creek offers six flavors of gourmet peanut butter, Boscoli Italian olive salad and Vino de Milo gourmet sauces made in Athens, Ohio.

Women seem to flock to the shop's collection of Vera Bradley handbags, celebrity-inspired Tolani scarves, fine Chamilia jewelry beads and more affordably priced Artesian glass necklaces, bracelets and rings.

Men can appreciate the casual wear, the Tommy Bahama cashmere -- and the fact that the shop offers a place to prop up their feet, read a magazine and take a nap on the couch if needed.

"We don't sell commodities," said Dixie Vermeeren, one of the shop's three owners. "We sell the shopping experience. We sell service."

Rather than attempting to go head-to-head with corporate chains in the rush of retail's busiest season, many stores seem to be capitalizing on what they do best -- offering an escape from the "mob mentality" that can stress out even the most cool-headed shopper.

Vermeeren and her colleagues, Joanne Miller and Holly McGory, are ready to offer a cup of coffee, free gift-wrapping service and their expertise in fashion or home decor.

They travel frequently to stay on top of hot trends and often take cues from customers.

Vermilion Township shopper Colleen Shay Murray visited the shop on a recent Monday and left with several gifts, as well as something for herself. The owners see her often enough to offer advice on colors and styles she might not select herself, she said -- and their instincts are usually right.

"When I come in here, they laugh because I'm a whirlwind shopper," she said. "The items they have, you don't see a hundred people wearing."

Specialty doesn't always mean spending more.

At Second Hand Rose, 202 W. Market St., owner Rose D'Agostino carries an array of new and gently-used clothing based on the latest styles in Manhattan, as well as designer-inspired purses, hats and sunglasses.

"People like to shop here because of the variety," D'Agostino said. "We have something for everyone."

The shop, adorned with Victorian decor, features replicas of designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Dooney & Bourke and Gucci at a fraction of the price.

At Erik's Clothing for Men, 101 W. Water St., customers don't seem to mind paying more for classic, high-quality clothing and personal service. The upscale shop carries name-brand casual wear such as Bill's Khakis -- the original World War II khaki -- and a variety of outerwear, dress clothing and accessories. Shoppers may sip wine or coffee and nibble on homemade cookies while sales assistants help them custom-design the perfect look.

The store offers shirts tailored to fit an individual's style and size and does in-house alterations, as well as at-home consultations by appointment.

"It's not your typical lines (of clothing)," owner Erik Anderson said. "It's very stylish -- more akin to what you'd find in New York or Chicago. It's hip, yet timeless."

Anderson said the store's hand-knit designer ties, ranging from $50 to $120, are a popular gift item this year. Much of the brand-name clothing is still made in America -- also a strong selling point.

Those with their eyes on bigger bargains on items like furniture, glassware, antiques and toys can browse through the equivalent of a dozen garage sales under one roof at Wood Apples, 162 Columbus Ave.

"We have more 'made in America' stuff here than anywhere in town," said Terry Holzaepfel, who founded the shop as a farmer's market two years ago inside the former Holzaepfel Brothers sporting goods store and translated his German name to its English meaning to re-brand it as a flea market.

Furniture ranges from $8 tables or chairs to a $450 vintage walnut chest dating back to the 19th century. There are china sets painted with Norman Rockwell scenes and hand-crafted Italian vases, which normally sell for upwards of $700 each, reduced to $65.

"We're negotiable here," vendor Jack Colvin said as he gestured to collections of vinyl records, Lionel train sets and John Wayne memorabilia.

Music lovers can find more than 500 guitars, recording equipment and drum collections at Musicians' Alley, 151 Columbus Ave. Popular items this year include a Hannah Montana child's guitar for $79, Bose sound systems and guitar package specials -- which include the instrument, amplifier and instructional DVD starting at $249.

The store also offers repairs and personal lessons, owner George Gast said.

Just down the street, the Sandusky State Theatre is also spreading the holiday cheer with its window displays throughout the downtown area and its recently-opened seasonal shop. After browsing the Festival of Trees display, shoppers can peruse the collection of Annalee dolls, ornaments and marionettes.

"The dolls have been selling like crazy," shop employee Dan Hoke said. "They're all 25 percent off, and our ornaments are buy one, get one free."

The shops will remain open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday during the week before Christmas.

Merchants in Vermilion are turning their local specialty shops into a type of scavenger hunt this holiday season. From now through Saturday, shoppers will be entered into a drawing to win prizes by visiting each of the 12 participating shops and having merchants sign their shopping cards.

Completed cards may be turned into Main Street Vermilion, 685 Main St., the Chamber of Commerce, 5495 Liberty Ave., or Brummer's Chocolates, 672 Main St.

Support your local shops

Shopping at small specialty stores is more than an experience-- it's a way to support the community.

For every dollar spent at a local business, about 45 cents is reinvested into the local community, said John Lippus, executive director of the Sandusky Main Street Association. By comparison, every dollar spent at a corporate chain brings only about 15 cents back.

Economic policy experts call this the "multiplier effect, which describes the chain reaction that occurs when local money is reinvested by employees and suppliers.

Urban and regional planners use the multiplier effect to calculate the net impact of a given or proposed economic activity. Locally-owned small businesses tend to increase the multiplier effect, while corporate-owned chains have a smaller effect because profits are exported elsewhere.

Email this story   Print this story

Comment on this Story

_{Comments on our site are governed by our Discussion Guidelines}

Name:

Email: (optional)

Comments:

Image Verification: