The Christmas season is upon us, bringing good tidings, comfort and joy…and shopping!
Todd and Natalie Grantham, Wide Awake Cafe are brand new to the business, having opened their cafe October 1st. Located at Chantilly Place on Highway 90, Wide Awake is a coffee shop hoping to expand business and awareness this holiday season. Natalie Grantham says they have gift certificates available in all denominations.
Brenda Nixon of Nixon's on Dogwood Drive is expecting other business owners will be hoping to make up the difference of not having five weeks until Christmas but four, like she is. "That extra week makes a big difference," says Nixon. She also says the season looks good right now as she says she's promoting a new clothing line that's "hot" named Karlie, geared towards a younger crowd and many new accessory lines.
Dave Marchlewski, A Joyful Noise music store on Highway 90, said he's hopeful, because he's experienced a very good year so far. "I've more pianos than I've ever had. I didn't know I could get this many in the store," he said, "I have a new line of Lag acoustic guitars, and a new line in electric called Spear. Really cool stuff." Marchlewski said ukuleles are a hot item this year and many new contemporary artists are incorporating them in their music.
The Shoppe at St. Mary's, 6849 Oak Street in Milton, is a consignment store selling new and gently used items which are donated. Proceeds of the Shoppe said Ann Odom, manager, are divided by 49 percent goes to St. Mary's Episcopal Church and 51 percent goes to the community. They support Family Promise, Family Resource Center, Pregnancy Resource Center, and Guatemala Evangelical Ministry. Odom says their goal is to sell as much as possible to be able to give more back to the community. Their prices are extremely reasonable.
John Marshall, owner of Milton Computers said Milton Computers is focused on service both before and after the sale. He said the store is versatile and solution oriented, opposite of large box retailers. In reference to playing a sport, Marshall says, "We're small but it's wiser for us to buckle down, focus and play our own game."
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Local business owners are hopeful this holiday season