Retailers see red on sales
By SHARON KERR

Local retailers reported that Black Friday, normally the biggest shopping day of the year, was slower than last year.

Kay Lane, manager of Bealls, said their total for the day was "not as good as it has been in the past," even though they sold out of the special buys.

"Maybe (Hurricane) Rita had something to do with it," she speculated. Last year people had money from Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross, and gas was more expensive so people bought locally. Much of Beaumont was still closed for Rita repairs.

Scott Burton of Baskins said, "There weren't as many people shopping...last year on Friday we had 100 more transactions and the average ticket was more too."

Burton also believes that Hurricane Rita skewed the sales numbers last year. He doesn't think it is internet shopping affecting business. "People still like to go out and be waited on," he said.

Baskins' big sellers this year are cowboy boots, hats and toys.

"We have a rodeo toy that has bull riders, chutes, an arena, cowboys and clowns. We've re-ordered it twice and keep selling out. Nobody else in town has stuff like this," Burton said.

Liz Street of the Jasper/Lake Sam Rayburn Chamber of Commerce says she is constantly re-filling orders for the $500 Shop at Home shopping spree drawing. Local merchants give every customer who spends $20 or more during the holiday season a ticket for a drawing worth $500 at any participating store.

Street says she has refilled Gold Etc., Ann's Tackle Shop and The Cottage at least three times. The Dam Liquor Store and

The Stump restaurant near Rayburn are running through them "like water," and she's delivered "tons of tickets" to Elijah's.

Merchants will continue to give out tickets through the end of the year, and the drawing will be in January, 2007.