Merchants report season
on par
by Kelly Feser Eells

Rumors of any economic slump have been, if not greatly, then somewhat exaggerated. At least as far as local retailers are concerned.
"Business is certainly better than last year's was" at this time, said Hildegard Tallent, owner of downtown's Kava Gifts. "But everything was quieter downtown last year, though mostly due to Sept. 11."
The consensus among several Arcade merchants is "optimistically guarded," what Tallent cheerfully calls "happy talk."
It is, she indicates, a perspective as unique to Ojai's business community as are the wares offered holiday shoppers.
"While, overall I'm (Kava Gifts) up," said Tallent, "there aren't anywhere near the hordes of people you used to see at this time of year. Especially today, Dec. 21, which," per both Tallent and the Better Business Bureau of America, is generally the biggest holiday shopping day of the year. "It's the day retailers come out of the red and into the black."
Still, "the locals are definitely doing their bit. There aren't the manic crowds one normally sees," she chuckles, "but then, Ojai merchants, historically, are always stronger in the summer" - tourist season.
Another reason the "manic crowds" aren't as visible as in previous years is that "all the big department stores are offering these very compelling sales, with monumental discounts. A lot of moms are telling me that, well, it's just easier to shop for the things kids want" out of town.
The gift of music, however, spans all ages. Sal Lucido of Blue Sky Music notes that, "Sales are down everywhere. Sears, Wal-Mart; it's the economy, and what we're seeing in Ojai is on par with what we're seeing across the nation."
Lucido adds that, "Even so, we're very close to what we did (sales-wise) last year; probably within 1 percentage point or two. Not great, but, hey; it ain't over till it's over."
And how are holiday sales at Ojai's own department store, Rains?
Brisk, according to owner Jeff Rains. "Absolutely no complaints from this end. We're happy; we're busy; people are happy. Rains," he smiles, "is, in a word, happy."

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

Back to the news