Open House Weekend kicks off downtown sales 

Despite the early start compared to last year, last week’s Christmas Open House Weekend still provided a welcome jumpstart for many downtown businesses in time for the holiday season.

A weekend of extended hours, special deals and warm receptions greeted local and visiting customers alike to the city’s business district, with many shops taking part in the three-day shopping event, which took place from Friday through Sunday.

Organized by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce as the start of its holiday season festivities, the weekend drew hundreds of visitors to check out what the city has to offer.

One of downtown’s oldest businesses, The Marshall Shoppe, saw an increase of traffic and sales compared to last year’s event, said owner Sue Kazlauskas. The women’s apparel and accessory store offered 20 percent off nearly its entire selection, attracting a nice mix of regulars and new visitors alike.

“The weather put people in the right mood,” Kazlauskas said. “People were in the mood to shop and spend for the holidays.”

The owner said that her store has hosted Christmas open house events like this since the early ‘70s, when her mother owned the store.

“It really kicks off the holiday season, and it’s also a way to thank customers and to give them a discount for shopping with us all year round,” she said.

Another business that has participated in that longstanding tradition has been Booth’s Country Florist & Gifts. The flower shop kicked off its seasonal offerings during the weekend, offering a 20 percent discount on nearly its entire stock, including its new holiday arrangements, wreathes and ornaments.

The shop has been holding special shopping events at the beginning of the Christmas season for the past 30 years, said owner Patty Booth.

“It helps kick off the holiday season,” Booth said. “It encourages people to shop locally, to check us out first.”

Under the coordination of the chamber, business owners like Booth and Kazlauskas have seen a nice surge of sales at the start of the winter and the busy gift shopping season due to the open house weekend.

“It’s nice when everyone gets together and holds open houses like this,” Kazlauskas said. “It gives customers more than one reason to come to town. It helps everybody. I think it’s a win-win situation.”