Local retailers report strong holiday sales

MAT-SU —For many Mat-Su Valley’s shoppers, driving to Anchorage to scoop up last-minute Christmas gifts is not an option.

With gas prices rising, many have scoured their local Valley shops in search of the right gift. Nationally, the International Council of Shopping Centers predicts shopping will carry on as normal this year, with a possible 1.5 percent spending increase over last year.

Wasilla resident Karen Goudey said shopping near home is convenient for her family, as well as pocketbook friendly.

“I don’t go to Anchorage to shop,” Goudey said. “The price of gas is too expensive and I’ve got a van that just eats it.”

As traffic on the Parks Highway slows down, local businesses are reaping the benefits of holiday shoppers.

David Cheezum, owner of Fireside Books, said business has flourished the past month due to what he calls the public’s love for small-town appeal.

“It’s been a great holiday season,” Cheezum said. “It seems there’s been a lot more people in downtown Palmer than ever before. It makes up for all my mistakes I’ve made for the year.”

Cheezum said the more popular items selling are the newly released box set of Harry Potter books and Stephen Colbert’s “I Am America, and So Can You.”

Cheezum also noted customers are often surprised Fireside Books carries such a large selection of books, comparable to bigger stores.

“There’s been a tipping point where gradually new shops have tested the waters, attracting more people away from the corporate domination,” he said. “There’s a hunger for a real shopping experience.”

Mila Carlson, owner of Mila’s Alterations in Wasilla, said she is also is harvesting the holiday spending spree. She has been pleasantly surprised with this season’s receipts.

“Party dresses, accessories and handmade gifts are all going fairly quickly,” Carlson said. “It’s something different, the fact that people have the choice to go to Wal-Mart for cheaper and they don’t. It’s wonderful to see them come in here. When you’re self-employed and pay the bills, and then buy your own presents, it’s rough, but we managed to get it done this year.”

In the world of electronics, Best Buy and Wal-Mart dominate the competition, but smaller businesses weren’t bolting up their doors this holiday season. For Image Audio in Wasilla, business has flourished.

“We’re doing really well this year,” said Donny Dean, manager of Image Audio. “Plasma and LCD TVs are selling really well. Instead of getting upset with the big stores, we try to compete with them. I think it works.”

Dean said that although sales for other items in stock are flat, Image Audio has sold twice as many televisions than usual in the past month and his store is trying its best to stay in demand.

The Source in Wasilla has been selling its unique line of skater and snowboarding clothing and accessories for 10 years in the Valley. Owner Lucy Orr said she has been extremely busy this holiday shopping season, attributing the success to many things.

“Ever since Gottschalks closed, we’ve have stayed increasingly busy,” Orr said, adding the reason for a strong holiday season “could be many things, including Permanent Fund Dividends and back-to-school shopping. But I think people like to shop where they live, too.”

Customers are in a spending mood locally, and are spreading their dollars around to smaller retailers.

“I’m spending a lot more that I did last year,” said Brian Donoho, Wasilla resident and owner of Alaska’s Building Connection, a company specializing in metal buildings. This year, Donoho’s children will enjoy some big-ticket items like computers and other electronics due in large part to local shoppers buying his services and products. It’s a trend that many see continuing to rise as gas prices do the same.

“I think staying local for anyone’s retail needs is important — for everyone — and the holidays are no exception,” Cheezum said.

Contact J.J. Harrier at valleylife@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.