The Hammonton Gazette 01/08/2014 | Page 5

Business owners discuss the recent holiday season Page 4 • Wednesday, January 8, 2014 • The Hammonton Gazette BUSINESS, from Page 1 White Horse Pike (Route 30), stated sales were slightly down at the store during the holiday season. There was an increase in online sales with the appliance store, though. “We were slightly down this year [talking about sales], but overall i guess we made out pretty good. Volume and sales were down, but there were a lot more internet sales. i think with the season being shorter, everyone was sort of last minute or just didn’t get it done,” Rob Thornwell said. The Thornwells thought the shorter holiday shopping season did affect sales, and customers were buying Sears’ products during the last few days before Christmas. “i think it cut the season down [with Thanksgiving being later this year], and it caught a lot of people off-guard. We have had more people come in recently after the holiday with gift cards,” Danielle Thornwell said. Lisajo Carrigan, owner of Sassy Sweets on Bellevue Avenue, said her business had a successful holiday shopping season. Carrigan stated she sold a various amount of candy and baskets, and was very happy with the overwhelming positive responses her customers gave her and the family. “it was a very nice holiday season. i was most pleased with all the compliments we received. We got many, many compliments. We got gifts, notes in the mail and everything. Our customers were very, very happy. We had new customers come from out of town too,” Carrigan said. Carrigan wished everyone a healthy and prosperous new year, and couldn’t say enough about the compliments she received in regards to her business’ offerings and the downtown as well. “i thought we had a very good season overall. everyone was very complimentary of our store, especially, but also the downtown as a whole,” Carrigan said. Tracy earling of SaDee’s Clothing Boutique on Bellevue Avenue also reported a successful holiday shopping season at the store. “We did very well. Alex and Ani [jewelry] did real well for us and that was a hot gift item. We had a lot of shoppers that came in from other areas to buy Alex and Ani, but it also got them to buy other items as well. We sent the customers to other stores in the downtown area afterwards. Christmas was good for us,” earling said. David Charles Ltd., located on 12th Street, had a better-than-expected holiday shopping season. The business has seen an increase in sales in each of the past three Christmases. “i went into it not knowing what to expect. from three years ago was probably the lowest point, but since then it has been coming back up. This was the best year we have had in four years i believe. it has been getting better, better and better and this was probably the biggest jump this ho