Attract shoppers with holiday retail events

The Downtown Holiday Open House attracted hundreds of shoppers to the stores in downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia. For 32 years the event has helped kick-off seasonal sales in the historic city. Free parking at a new parking garage was an added attraction. Merchants offered snacks and drinks, and stores were well decorated.

Marilee Meek, president of Downtown Retail Marketing Inc. and co-owner of The Pavilion, said downtown stayed super busy.

"Every storekeeper had said that they have had a great day," she said yesterday afternoon.

Owner Ann Adkins said the open house weekend brings in the highest sales of the year for her Ladybug Gift Shop on Caroline Street.

Old Time Carriage Company owner Roger Evans said his business was "extremely busy."

What is your retail merchant association doing to make cash registers ring this holiday season? Get active. There's power (and money) in cooperation.