Holiday shoppers were out in droves in downtown Enid following the Thanksgiving holiday.
Whether looking for something unique or eclectic or checking names off a Christmas shopping list, shoppers were hitting downtown shops during Lights Up the Plains festivities and on Small Business Saturday.
“There’s a lot more downtown shopping opportunities now. More than we’ve ever had,” said Main Street Enid Assistant Director Charlet Ringwald. “There’s a lot more boutiques that give you that small-town experience you can’t get online.”
She said Main Street Enid has been working to bring more shoppers back downtown. For example, 15 businesses are participating in a window decorating contest. Each business was given a number to include in their displays. Shoppers can go to mainstreetenid.org and vote for their favorite display.
“A lot of the shops and business have been participating in the holiday season this year and that’s been great,” Ringwald said. “We’re trying to regain that nostalgic feeling downtown and this year has been a really good start.”
Tani Mahaffy, co-owner of The Boho Teepee, 114 N. Independence, said the post-Thanksgiving shopping had been good.
“We’ve had great business. We’ve been busier than usual,” she said Saturday afternoon. “We were packed yesterday.”
She said the majority of business was people doing their holiday shopping.
“We’ve had great sales and a great response,” Mahaffy said. “We’re running some sales that encouraged some personal shopping.”
She said the store is about half women’s apparel and carries accessories for all. She said the store also sells jewelry, backpacks and bags, gifts and items from local artists and businesses. “We’re trying to support some local and Oklahoma businesses,” Mahaffy said.
“I am very grateful to Main Street Enid for the events they put together,” Mahaffy said. “It brings traffic to us and get sales to us.
The Boho Teepee is open for the holidays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays.
Down the road, Riley Jantzen, who co-owns The Felt Bird, 124 S. Independence, said Small Business Saturday had “been fantastic.”
“We look forward to it every year,” he said. Jantzen said they began seeing shoppers doing their holiday shopping last week.
“That’s probably because of the shortened holiday season,” he said.
Jantzen said the store’s seen its loyal customers and some new faces this holiday season.
“We have such a niche product we carry. People come in here looking for unique gifts or stocking stuffers,” he said. “A lot of people come here to get something different.”
Jantzen said downtown Enid is becoming a destination for shoppers to have entire experience.
“We’re excited to be doing our 11th Christmas in downtown Enid,” he said. “There’s a lot more shopping downtown than before.”
The Felt Bird is open 10:30 to 6 Monday through Friday and 10:30 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The store will remained closed Sundays except for the week of Christmas.
Co-owner of Peonies, Ginger Diel, said the past week at the store located at 224 W. Randolph has seen lots of business.
“It’s been good she said. We’ve had lots of people in. It’s been steady” Diel said. “We’ve had holiday shoppers and people getting their paint for holiday projects.”
The store opened July 5 this year but is participating in Candy Cane Cash, Main Street Enid’s window decorating competition and was a sponsor of Lights Up the Plains.
Peonies sells chalk paints, home furnishings and furniture, gifts and decorations. The shop also sells items and artwork from local vendors and locally made jewelry.
“We want to make you relove your home,” Diel said. “Our main focus is Annie Sloan chalk paint. She was doing chalk paint before anyone else was.”
Diel said she and co-owner Lindsey Trook strive to get as local as they can get.
“We have classes on how to use chalk paint,” Diel said. “We also have a canvas class. It’s beginner friendly.”
The store is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays.
Story provided by Enid News & Eagle
Written by: Cass Rains
