Shoppers took advantage of a day off, good weather and discounted prices today, filling area shops and restaurants. In Chesapeake Bay Outfitters on Talbot Street in St. Michaels, bargain hunters filled the store and lined up three and four deep at the counter. Most of them walked out with bags of clothing, shoes and hats.
Down the block at the Chesapeake Trading Company, owners Si and Linda Boettner worked the counter handling a steady stream of sales. Linda said scarves and jackets, both men’s and women’s, were the hot items this year.
“We have had a good season,” said Si, as he was making change at the cash register. “It is better than last year. Not huge, but it is following the national trend.”
The National Retail Federation predicted a 3.8 percent increase in sales this year.
Today, young families pushing strollers along the business districts and couples holding hands were doing more than wind shopping in the sun. They were going in almost every store to look for good buys.
Aida Leisure said her jewelry stores, Deep Blue Sea in St. Michaels and Silver Linings shops in St. Michaels and Easton were also having a good year.
“This was our second Christmas in Easton,” she said. “Our sales there were significantly higher this year.”
Leisure said that Eastern Shore retailers were having a good season because the weekend fall and early winter weather has been good, attracting visitors to the local villages. Most of the municipal parking places were full and shopping bags were the accessory of choice for pedestrians.[slideshow id=67]
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