TARBORO —
For businesses with products appropriate for the Christmas season, 2012 held promise for some improvement.
“It was a little better than average,” said Mears Pitt of Marrow-Pitt Ace Hardware. “We had a good, positive season.”
Pitt said he was pleased overall and that most of his Christmas tree stock had sold out and that the store had experienced “a real good wreath and garland season.”
Pitt said that while all of the talk about the upcoming fiscal cliff and the stalemate in Washington has him nervous, he is optimistic for the future.
Up the street at Henderson Lumber Co., David Pigg said that while his business carried some items that were conducive to Christmas shopping, such as hand and power tools and some decorations, it relies on the construction trade.
“Our major emphasis is building supplies, and there’s not much going on this time of the year.”
Like Pitt, Pigg shared concerns regarding the economic situation and Washington’s role in the problems.
“I am concerned,” he said. “I don’t have much confidence in any of them, any more.”
Some businesses in downtown Tarboro were bustling with holiday shoppers Friday, while others waited hopefully for the last-minute shoppers to flood their doors.
“This week, we’ve been slammed. Silver’s selling fast and the bead bracelets are real popular,” said Kenny Brewer, owner of Brewer’s Jewelry. “It’s been one of the better years recently. The slow down started in 2008, but it’s gotten better now.”
Belinda Brown, a loyal customer of more than 20 years, browsed the jewelry at Brewer’s Friday morning.
“I love downtown because it’s personable. Everybody’s friendly, helpful,” she said. “Kenny’s got a great business.”
“People have shopped earlier this year than I have noticed in the past. They’re spending more money,” said Jimmy Dupree, owner of Roberson & Dupree Shoe Store. “Our sales are ahead. I do think things are improving.” Earlier this year, he said the store ordered a shipment of Uggs, the popular snow boots, and they have been selling fast. Tim Little of Elm City bought a pair for Christmas on Friday morning and had them wrapped for free by Jimmy Dupree’s brother John.
“We’re getting people from out of town,” said Dupree. People like the service we give. We sit down, fit them if they want, let them walk around. It’s been that way for 64 years.”
A few doors down, at Caroline’s Creations & Unique Gifts, Bennita Dunham of Tarboro was picking up personalized bags for Christmas. She got monogrammed bags for her family members at the store last Christmas. To her, it’s “worth it” to shop at locally owned businesses rather than at big-box stores.
“It’s simple. Everybody’s friendly and the prices are good,” Dunham said.
“You get more of a one-on-one, personal feel shopping in a downtown community,” said store owner Caroline Craft. She said her sales have increased this Christmas season, noting she has more variety of gifts than she did last year.
“We’re swamped,” she said. “We’ve noticed a lot of traffic on Main Street in the last couple of days.”
In Craft’s opinion, “people are going to spend money on Christmas presents, whether they have it or not. They’re going to find it.”
“We’re pleased with the business this Christmas season,” said Jeannette Jones, co-owner of Video T.V. & Appliance. “It’s been really, really slow economically, but we’ve had a little flurry of activity lately. We’ve had some people pick up TV’s and things like that for a Christmas present.”
Gloria Wall, shop manager at Tar River Antiques, said business has been slow compared to last year,
“I think people actually are out buying, but they’re more selective in how they spend their money,” she said. She believes people have waited until later to do their shopping this holiday season.
“People will wait until the last minute to shop,” said Wall. “If they’re looking for something exquisite, something different, they’ll come in here.”
Maxway, a discount variety store on Main Street, had a steady crowd of customers Friday morning.
“It’s a little slower than last year, but not a whole lot,” said Sherry Boykin, store manager at Maxway. “We still have our regulars coming in every day.”
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Related Photos
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Tim Little (right), of Elm City, buys a pair of Ugg boots from Mike Everette, an employee at Roberson & Dupree Shoe Store in downtown Tarboro, Friday morning. Uggs have been a top selling item at the store this holiday season. For The Daily Southerner
More ups than downs in Tarboro
HOLIDAY SHOPPING
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Here is your chance to celebrate your graduate’s Special Day by announcing their graduation in our Congratulation Page.
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Hats Off To Our Graduates!
The announcements will appear in The Daily Southerner on June 7, 2013.
Deadline for placing announcements will be Tuesday, June 4th by 5:00pm.
All ads must be pre-paid. Information can be dropped off at our office 504 W. Wilson Street, Tarboro or call 823-3106. - Early college seniors graduate
- Law enforcement urges teen drivers to drive safely during holiday
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Hats Off To Our Graduates!
- Local News
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Dr. Deborah Lamm, president of Edgecombe Community College, received the national ACT Career Preparedness Award on behalf of the college Tuesday. Shown from left to right are Dr. Jon Whitmore, ACT CEO; Scott Montgomery, ACT vice president; Sid Baker, education program specialist, NC Office of the State Superintendent; Dr. Lamm; and Virginia Edwards; editor-in-chief, Education Week.
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Edgecombe Community College receives national award
Edgecombe Community College (ECC) received a national award Tuesday night for its efforts to prepare students to be successful in careers and the workplace.
Edgecombe was among four honorees that received national awards in Washington, D.C., during a gala that concluded ACT’s inaugural College and Career Readiness Campaign. - County gospel choir to celebrate 20th anniversary
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Edgecombe Community College receives national award
- Sports
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14-Under softball tryout
The Tarboro Parks and Recreation Department and Edgecombe County Girls Softball League will be having tryouts for 14-under girls fast-pitch softball Wednesday, May 29 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Farmington Park in Rocky Mount. The is located at 319 Wellington Dr. There will also be a tryout Thursday, May 30 at Indian Lake Sports Complex on field 1 in Tarboro from 6 - 7:30 p.m. There is a $10 fee for Tarboro residents and a $35 fee for non-residents. For more information call the sports complex at 641-4202, Kathy Webb 252-813-4697 or Jamie Lindsey 252-883-0883 or sftbllgrlunc@hotmail.com.
- Thorne tabbed Regional Player of the Year
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14-Under softball tryout
- Opinion
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My 13 years have been lucky
It was 13 years Sunday that a drought was broken in Big Spring, Texas, After that, we ate Mexican for dinner with a gathering of family and friends.
The next day, a Saturday, Stephanie and I joined one another in marriage under a beautiful little gazebo by Comanche Trail Lake, fed by the historic spring from which the community draws its name.
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My 13 years have been lucky
- Lifestyles
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Corbett/Chasse Wedding
Brittney Joyce Corbett and Kenneth Robert Chasse, Jr. were united in marriage on April 6th, 2013, at 5:30pm at the Imperial Centre in Rocky Mount. The Rev. Carrol Bradbury officiated the ceremony.
The Rehearsal Dinner was hosted by Shirley and Donald Foreman, Grandparents of the Groom and also Elisha and Kenneth Chasse, Parents of the Groom, at Pizza Inn in Rocky Mount.
The Bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Durwood Corbett of Macclesfield, NC. The Groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Robert Leonel Chasse, Sr. of Pinetops, NC.
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- Obituaries Archives
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CURTIS LEE DAVIS
PRINCEVILLE — Curtis Lee Davis, 60, died Sunday, May 19, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 25, 2013 at the St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church (2225 N.C. Hwy 97 East) with burial in the Morning Family Cemetery.
Arrangements under direction of Dickens Funeral Service. - IRENE EVANS
- SHIRLEY A. GOLDSTON
- JOHNNY LEE LAWRENCE
- CECILIA AMANDA PUDDY
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CURTIS LEE DAVIS
- Food
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Great fondue
My husband and I love to entertain. We also love fondue. I have 4 or 5 fondue pots. I use them regularly. Some of them I have had for a long time.
Fondue began as a way to use up old, hardened cheese. The original fondue was cheese with wine. You then dipped hardened pieces of bread into the mixture. In America, the 1950's was the height of the fondue craze. However, it appears to be making a comeback. - Budget Friendly Deliciousness
- Barbeque Bests
- Coffee isn't just a drink
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- Events
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Edgecombe Events May 24
Edgecombe Events should be submitted by noon the day before publication. Items eligible include notices of local meetings and activities of non-profit organizations, clubs, schools and civic groups in the community. Information should be brief and typewritten, neatly printed or via e-mail. Questions? 823-3106 or e-mail: events@dailysoutherner.com. Leave a daytime contact phone number.
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Edgecombe Events May 24
- Our Community
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Edgecombe Garden Club honors members
The Edgecombe Garden Club met May 1 for their noon luncheon at the Fountains of the Albemarle. After President Pauline Nicolosi greeted everyone, Sandra Joyner, Devotion Chairman, read “Torch” which was about our tongues torching good or evil.
Hostess Barbara Getzug described her specially designed flower arrangement of mock orange, snowball, purple columbine, and many varieties of roses. President Pauline, Hostesses Gloria Wall and Louise Fleming did the table arrangements. They contained wiegelia, azalea, ivy, mock orange, and ligustrum. - DAR AWARDS
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