Small Business Saturday busy for some in the valley

Polson downtown businesses worked hard to draw local shoppers in for Small Business Saturday, and it appears to have paid off. Many retailers reported a busy weekend to start off the Christmas shopping season.

Dana Johnston of Alpine Designs was delighted with the turnout.

“We had one of our best business days ever,” Johnston said. “It was amazing.”

She said many people were ordering gifts to be sent out of town, as they would not be traveling this year due to the pandemic.

Others were shopping for themselves.

“We are a home décor store,” Johnston said. “I think people are spending more time around their homes, taking a look at their walls, and thinking they might like to spruce the place up a bit.” The 20%-off sale likely helped, too, she said.

Johnston, and Alpine Designs owner Joslyn Shackelford, said they were humbled and grateful for the local support. They credited Polson Chamber of Commerce’s Ian Withrow with helping with marketing and generating enthusiasm, including inventing “Find Frosty’s Hat,” a scavenger hunt through different types of businesses.

Clayton McCready of Gambles Hardware in St. Ignatius wasn’t in the store Saturday, but judging from the numbers, business was good. In fact, he said it’s been a good year for his line of work. He agreed that with people home more, they are getting a lot of fixing and building projects done.

Reports from Ronan indicated a quieter scene, however.

“I think maybe people traditionally head to Missoula for the weekend after Thanksgiving,” said one downtown retailer who saw about six customers all day.

Even a paint sale didn’t draw a lot of people into True Value Hardware, said co-owner Beverley Osterwyk.

The Ronan Chamber of Commerce will be working on promotions and activities throughout December, said Stacey Ingram-Luce, owner of the newly renovated Flower Mill, which features flowers and gifts made by local craftspeople.