Shoppers brave weather

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News

December 24, 2013 - 12:00 AM

It’s Christmas time in the city. Sheets of ice and snow flurries didn’t slow down the hustle and bustle in the Iola shops this past weekend. Last-minute Christmas shoppers plowed their way around the square to purchase last-minute gizmos and gadgets.
“We had quite a few shoppers on Friday and Saturday,” Glenn Coffield, owner of Town and Country Western Wear said Monday morning.
Coffield said they’ll see a lot of last-minute shoppers all the way up until closing time on Christmas Eve.
“They usually know sizes for who they’re buying for, but we help guide them to what they need,” Coffield said.
Items like boots, coats and camoflauge have been big sellers this year, Coffield said.
Over at Funkie Monkey Bling, owner Theresa Ross said shoppers started to trickle out when the weather turned sour Saturday. Once the weather cleared, business picked right back up. People driving through town on U.S. 54 have even stopped in to make some purchases.
Men have been the most popular customers at Funkie Monkey.
“It’s been very busy,” Ross said. “A lot of men come in and we help them put together outfits.”
Men are stereotypically pegged as “last-minute shoppers” but Sophisticated Rose owner Jan Knewston said she has seen many women out and about at the last minute.
Knewston saw a good amount of shoppers over the past weekend but the flow of shoppers really picked up Monday morning.
“From Thanksgiving on we have a nice steady stream of shoppers come in,” Knewston said. “We’ve been really pleased with this year’s Christmas season.”
Saturday business hours were a little slow at Around the Corner but barista Jessica Quinhones said that was expected due to the crummy weather.
“We’ve had little pops of people come in here and there so far today,” Quinhones said Monday.
The coffee shop employees have sold a good amount of gift certificates the last couple of days.
“I let people know about our cards for the type of people who are hard to buy for,” Quinhones said.
Many Iola business will reopen their doors the day after Christmas for sales.

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