By Staff
Jammies, flannel robes and warm furry slippers are what some ladies will be wearing to Saturday's Ice Time Festival of the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce.
Although most downtown specialty stores typically open at 10 a.m., the festival's second annual Winter Hibernation and Pajama Sale, which features merchandise up to 75 percent off, is sure to lure die-hard bargain hunters out of bed at the crack of dawn.
Sue Kazlauskas, owner of The Marshall Shoppe and chairman of the Chamber's Retail Business Committee, plans to open her doors at an unprecedented 7 a.m. Saturday for her Pajama Party Special.
While she's told her customers, "Let's have breakfast on me, with coffee, bagels and cream cheese," it's not likely her patrons will have food on their minds, when sale prices on fall and winter merchandise are slashed another 50 percent from 7 to 9 a.m.
Prices slip back to 40 percent off sale prices from 9 to 10 a.m. and then to
30 percent at 10 a.m.
At the downtown's largest anchor store, Connie Jirgil, owner of Suite Dreams
remembers last year's line of customers, which began forming 30 minutes
before she opened her doors.
Suite Dreams opens at 8 a.m. Saturday, offering pajama-wearing patrons 50
percent off storewide. Although those arriving at 9 a.m. through the
remainder of the day, need not wear their jammies, the percentage off rolls
back to 40 from 9 to 10 a.m., and then to 30 at 10 a.m.
Patty Booth, owner of Booth's Country Florist, is also looking for her
customers to wear their PJs from 8 to 9 a.m., when they'll enjoy savings
storewide of 40 percent off. Similar to Suite Dreams, customers need not
wear their sleepwear after 9 a.m., although the percentage off at Booth's
goes back to 30 percent at 9 a.m. and 20 percent at 10. An all-day mega
sale table, however, features merchandise at a whopping 75 percent off.
Mr. K's Wearhouse &Embroidery is offering 50 percent off storewide and an
extra 5 percent to those in sleepwear, as Laurie Anne's slashes prices by 30
percent and Majerek's Hallmark offers its Yankee Candle Jars at 20 percent
off. Apparel Alternatives Etc. is offering 50 percent off storewide and an
extra 10 percent for those in their PJs, although the upper level
consignment boutique is where the savings really add up, as consignment
apparel is 25 percent off, with consignment coats and sweaters marked down
50 percent.
For those who like to sleep in, Vincent J. Jewelers is offering 40 percent
off storewide to those in sleepwear throughout the day, with savings
escalating to 50 percent off for its Moonlight Madness Sale from 7 to 10
Phillipson said some restrictions apply at each of the participating
locations, where certain merchandise may not be included in the Hibernation
Sale.