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Shops enjoyed heavy traffic during ‘Opener’

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Silver and grey, or the “galvanized look,” is a popular color scheme for Christmas decorations this year. This display is at Inspired in downtown New Ulm.

NEW ULM — Downtown businesses looked back Sunday afternoon on the aftermath of this year’s shopping opener.

For the last two decades at least, the first weekend in November has served as the seasonal shopping opener in New Ulm. Often before Halloween is even over the Christmas decorations go up and the seasonal sales begin.

The GnomeMade Market opened Thursday and ran through Sunday. This year over a dozen locations were featured on the city wide craft fair. The market aims to encourage the appreciation of art and crafts and support local artists as well as bring people into New Ulm.

The downtown businesses saw a large spike in business on Saturday. Bobbi Jensen at A to Zinnia Florals & Gifts said the line of customers were ten deep at times.

Alie Nachreiner said one of the best selling items was a snowflake lantern and clothing sold well too.

Inspired saw a rush for Christmas Tree purchases. A tree displayed in their front window went out of stock Saturday. Clothing, jewelry and children’s books also sold well.

This was the first shopping owner for Inspired’s owner Christina Schwab.

“The store was full all day long Saturday,” she said. “It exceeded my expectations. I was kind of blown away.”

A trend noticed in all the stores was the popularity of items with a silver or grey color scheme.

Schwab called it the galvanized look. It was popular color last year and it continues to be an in demand look for holiday decorations.

Staff at A to Zinnia also cited the galvanized look as fast seller. Nachreiner said the silver colors went well other shades.

Jensen said people were choosing the silvers and greys for decoration because it gave a winter feel without being a traditional Christmas color.

“You could leave items up through January,” Jensen said.

The downtown businesses are expected to remain busy through the holiday season. The biggest shopping day is still expected to be the weekend after Thanksgiving. Many of the stores will take part in Small Business Saturday which is Nov. 25 this year.

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