WINDHAM – Retail operations in North Windham reported a blistering pace of business last weekend, the first in the Christmas holiday shopping season.

From jewelry stores to kitchen goods, North Windham was hopping, even surpassing pre-recession sales figures for some operations.

Credit for the uptick in commerce can partly go to local chamber officials who earlier this year began promoting a Shop Local project. The campaign really ramped up Thanksgiving weekend with numerous events around North Windham co-hosted by the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, and Windham Economic Development Corporation.

Known as Season’s Greeting Saturday, North Windham businesses, especially chamber members, offered events and discount incentives to entice area residents to come to North Windham to spend their Christmas dollars, rather than heading to the Maine Mall, Freeport or Lewiston-Auburn.

In addition to the traditional Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which this year was held at Sebago Lake Automotive and saw about 250 to 300 attendees, about 40 vendors lined up in a “Shopping Expo” at the Windham Mall offering discounts, deals and especially exposure for local independent businesses.

Dan Hancock, who is coordinating North Windham’s Shop Local campaign as the chairman of the chamber’s retail committee, said the events were held to shine a light on local businesses.

“our focus with Season’s Greetings Saturday was to create a major marketing event for local businesses,” he said. “By pooling our resources we were able to create a significant amount of visibility for merchants in the region. We were also able to provide increased exposure for small business owners through the Shopping Expo at the Windham Mall. We estimate this was attended by 500 shoppers, which was great, not only for the 40 vendors who purchased a table, but also for businesses at the mall who benefited from the increased foot traffic.”

According to Tom Bartell, Windham’s economic development director, who works with the WEDC, an equivalent of $20,000 in advertising was purchased from local TV, radio and newspaper outlets to promote the Shop Local campaign.

“It was a major effort,” Bartell said. “And it was worth it. Hundreds of people came through the Shopping Expo at the mall and saw independent vendors and saw businesses at the mall they may not have been aware of. The other shopping centers were busy as well, so it was a good day.”

Doing especially well were longtime retailers such as Windham Jewelers and Mills & Co.

Bob Mills, owner of Mills & Co., an upscale kitchen and home-goods store, said weekend sales exceeded those in 2006, which was the store’s best year since opening in 2002.

“We did pretty well,” he said. “I think there was an impact with what the local chamber did and certainly the Shop Local campaign.”

Not only were overall sales record-breaking, Mills said, “our average transaction was higher, too.”

Mills said customers this weekend told him they are shopping earlier this year, which the longtime retailer has learned means they are likely to spend more.

“In the past few years, we’ve been in a period where I think people have purchased gifts to cross people off their list,” he said. “Now, what we’re seeing is people giving thought to what they are buying, and they end up spending more money.”

Kathy Byrnes, owner of Windham Jewelers, was likewise buoyed by the post-Thanksgiving shopping spree.

“We had a great weekend. Awesome,” she said. “I loved the Shop Local campaign. It was a great, great event, and I’m glad to see it.”

Bob Yates, owner of Sears Hometown Store, did brisk business, as well, with about 30 percent more in sales.

“It was a snow-thrower weekend,” he said. “We sold 25 snow-throwers.”

In addition, tools, appliances and big-screen TVs were big sellers throughout the weekend, Yates said.

“It went pretty well,” he said. “We were fully staffed, as we will be through Christmas, and there seemed to be a lot of new faces coming in.”

Aubuchon Hardware’s assistant store manager, Tim Wilson, said the store also had a robust weekend. He credits the Season’s Greeting Saturday events as well as a coupon that allowed shoppers to get 20 percent off whatever they could fit in a shopping bag.

“That seemed to work well. I’d say we had 50 or so more customers than usual,” Wilson said.

Bartell said the Shop Local campaign’s success this year will likely mean the campaign will be continued through next year as well, something Hancock said the chamber intends to pursue.

“We have some great businesses in the area and these results are a good indication that if we can continue to spread the word about the quality and variety of products and services offered in the Lakes Region, consumers will respond,” Hancock said. “This will have a positive impact on the entire community, so by shopping locally, people really are making an investment in the region.”

Ella Marston, 6, of Saco, gets her face painted during Season’s
Greetings Saturday events at the Windham Mall. “We are having a
great time,” said Marston’s mother, Nancy Marston, who had a
Silpada Jewelry table at the event. The day, meant to highlight
local small businesses a day after Black Friday, was sponsored by
the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce and Windham Economic
Development Corp. (Photo by Heidi Hamblen)
Carolina Tanguay, and her partner, Linda Bickford, work their
craft table at the Windham Mall on Saturday. The women were
showcasing their goods as part of the first-ever Season’s Greeting
Saturday, an event spotlighting area small businesses. “We are so
happy to be here today,” said Tanguay, of Raymond. “It’s a great
way to support the community we live in.” Tanguay was pleased with
the “steady traffic” throughout the day. Bickford and Tanguay’s
store can be found online at www.lastingimpressions.com. (Photo by
Heidi Hamblen)