Downtown Partnership January 2009 Newsletter

Downtown Holiday Season Results
Not great, but better than expected

While not exactly jumping for joy, Downtown merchants are at least breathing a collective sigh of relief. They made it through the holiday season in reasonable shape and some are seeing encouraging patterns early in the New Year.

"I'm happy where we ended up," said Linda Bridger of Saboz, a shoe, handbag and accessories boutique at 129-1/2 N. Tejon. "The year was awesome until November, which was really slow, and then we made up for some of it in December. So far, in January, we're ahead of last year."

Bridger observed more customers spending cash, and buying smaller items - gloves, scarves, jewelry, and wallets. More so than in years past, shoppers waited until the very last minute to buy, she said.

Concept Restaurants - which owns Jose Muldoon's, MacKenzie's Chop House, Southside Johnny's and the Ritz Grill - came through the season in decent shape, said Luke Travins. "I'm encouraged. Overall, we did better than I expected. Jose Muldoon's actually tripled its parties - we were much more aggressive in booking them."

Travins is slightly nervous heading into 2009. While the average guest check is holding steady, people aren't dining out just for something to do on a Friday night. The first six weeks of the year, he says, are slow. "If there's nothing going on - and especially if the weather's bad - our customers are pretty much those who are celebrating something specific."

Business didn't really get busy at Compleat Games and Hobbies, 326 North Tejon, until about two days before Christmas. But, said manager Jim Carpenter, "We came out not so bad." Anticipating a slower year, Carpenter conservatively ordered less merchandise. "My guess is we're down about as much as everyone else. We'll get through."

Christmas shopping rarely significantly alters the bottom line at William Kurtz Ltd., 10 East Pikes Peak. The updated-traditional men's clothing shop has a loyal customer base that shops throughout the year. That's a good thing, as Colorado Springs Utilities was working in front of the store from October 28 until two days after Thanksgiving, owner William Kurtz said. And while one of his annual Women's Night events beefed up sales nicely, the second event suffered a snowstorm. Nonetheless, Kurtz is optimistic about his newly remodeled store and its legacy location. "Downtown is comfortable, a fun place to come. My customers love being here."

Customers also loved shopping at Sparrow Hawk Gourmet Cookware, 120 North Tejon. Owner Sam Eppley said he saw a lot of traffic and sales were up during the holiday season. The excitement of his new location and store design was a contributing factor, but Eppley believes the struggling economy was actually a boon for his particular business.

"People are cocooning. Instead of going out to eat, they're preparing meals and hosting events at home. They made food gifts this year. They purchased smaller items and gift certificates. Now they're back using those certificates or spending cash they received, " he said. As well, Sparrow Hawk stayed open longer hours. "My team really hustled."

Title Nine, 210 North Tejon, had a "decent but not phenomenal" season, said manager Melanie Dries. "Things started out slowly but got really hopping Christmas week. For a first year, I'm very pleased." Having an established fan base via the company's well known catalog helped, as did the local store's location. "There's an awesome synergy here," Dries said. "All the stores complement each other nicely."

A block south at 102 North Tejon, long-time men's clothier Rutledge's saw weaker sales for December, but otherwise things went "pretty good for the year." Owner Jerry Rutledge took it all in stride. "It's an interesting time. I think we're doing better than what you hear about nationally. Downtown has a lot going for it. We just have to get through this moment."