Festival helps merchants’ sales
The weekend’s Historic Appomattox Railroad Festival had a strong impact on businesses in downtown Appomattox, according to merchants.
The 37th annual event attracted approximately 35,000 people over the weekend.
The festival included a parade, vendors and a variety of food.
The two-day event attracts thousands annually with the parade and on Sunday a firemen’s competition.
With that size crowd, some local businesses have seen a difference in their sales.
Gerry Granato, owner of County Charm on Main Street, said sales were up significantly during the railroad festival weekend.
“It contributed to a very successful weekend,” said Gerato.
The shop that houses Vera Bradley bags, home decorum and flags for sale, saw a 10-percent increase from last year in sales generated from the railroad festival.
“To top our sales from last year in this economy is good,” she said.
Business went so well so much so that they were busy the entire time and they did not have an opportunity to take a break, she said.
Like Country Charm, Betty Oehrlein co-owner of Jefferson Galleries, estimated that sales increased 10 percent compared to last year’s sales during the festival.
