Jan 3, 2011

Shopping local provides boost to small businessesBy Randy ConatABCLocal.Go.com

Shiawassee County – Small business owners in Mid-Michigan were growing worried as Christmas approached. Would customers spend more than they did the past two years?

“It’s the best Christmas we had in three years,” said John Hankerd of Hankerd’s Sportswear in Owosso.

“Overall I would say it was a lot better this year,” said Caron Sullivan of Sullivan’s Irish Alley in Flushing.

Although all the bookkeeping hasn’t been finished, retailers say it looks like business was up about 15 percent. Merchants say it may be due to efforts earlier this year to attract shoppers downtown.

“We got every single business to stay open at least until 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. every Tuesday all summer long,” Sullivan said. “It increased our sales.”

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