Dec 31, 2012

Massena Merchants Pleased with 2012 Holiday Shopping SeasonBy Benny FairchildWatertownDailyTimes.com

Massena, NY – The 2012 holiday shopping season was a good one, according to local merchants, who said this year’s sales were the best they’ve been in recent years.

“Our business was excellent,” said Jacquelin J. Sheehan, who together with her husband, John P. “Phil,” owns and operates Phil & Jackie’s gift shop on Main Street. “It was up from last year. People were helping to support the local businesses and most of the time the shopping weather was really good, so that made it easier.”

But Mrs. Sheehan said she did not think brisk sales were a sign of a recovering economy.

“I don’t think the economy is getting better,” she said. “I think it’s because we try to stay in a medium to low price range and offer services like gift wrapping. We also had a lot of in-house orders like ornaments, mugs and shirts. We also try to carry ‘Made in the USA’ products.”

Read complete article »