Downtown Sydney merchants say Christmas shopping picking up
'It's been maybe a little slower than last year'
Merchants in downtown Sydney say they're having a good holiday shopping season so far — despite some challenges.
"It's been maybe a little slower than last year," said Peggy MacAdam, the owner of the Cape Breton Curiosity Shop.
"I think that's partially the weather because the weather has been so good. A lot of people, myself included, don't realize how close we are to Christmas."
Bruce Meloney, the owner of the Shoe Tree, agrees. He describes November and early December as "soft." But he says business has picked up since and he figures he's on par with, or a little ahead of last year.
Meloney says one challenge this year has been the loss of anchor stores Jacobson's and Yazer's. The two clothing stores were fixtures on Charlotte Street for decades. Both storefronts now sit empty, as do several others in the downtown.
"For me, people would come for Jacobson's and the Shoe Tree," he said. "We miss them big time."
Maloney says he's had to work harder to bring customers in.
At the same time, some of the newer businesses say things are looking up.
Joan MacKenzie is one of the owners of the My Fair Ladies gift shop. This is the store's second Christmas and MacKenzie says she's still gaining new customers, with sales up over last year. She describes the general mood downtown as optimistic.
"New things are happening," she said. "As long as more people take the leap and start something new, it'll change, it'll come around."
In the meantime, MacAdam says a turn in the weather might help to get more people in the Christmas shopping mood.
"A little bit of snow would help," she said. "Just a little bit — don't anybody get mad at me! — but just a little bit would help."