The wait was worth it. Despite a slow start to the
season, snow came to Summit County and with it skiing, holidays and a bumper
crop of business.
The holiday season has been strong for local businesses, even for those that just got started during the slow shoulder season.
“I'm new in town, (but) more people are coming in,” said Chad Schultz, who opened his winter apparel store Moosely Hats in October on Main Street Frisco.
The colder temperatures have also helped Schultz, not only in selling out of scarves and beanie hats, but in bringing more traffic to his door.
“(The snow) has been helping a lot,” he said. “There are more people visiting the area, skiers and snowboarders. I get a lot of them in.”
Holly Stein of Flourish in Breckenridge has also seen an increase in business.
“As we have more snow and more people are in town, these are certainly better days,” she said. “The weather has the greatest swing on it. It's staring to snow and the holiday is here.”
Flourish sells jewelry and artistic items made mostly by Colorado artists. Though these items aren't seasonal, they are selling well.
“The products are changing all the time,” said Stein. “There are a variety of things that we've had to reorder because we sold out. … We're adding new work all the time in all different kinds of media. We're trying to keep the store fresh on a regular basis.”
As the streets of Breckenridge fill with snow enthusiasts and sightseers, local businesses prosper.
“It was definitely a slow start and I think that we all felt it,” said Jennifer Hopkins, owner of the Worldly Traveller in Breckenridge. “My number of transactions per day has doubled in the past few days and I think a lot of that is the run-up to Christmas shopping.”
Breck is certainly busier than it was a month or even a few weeks ago.
“The welcome center is pretty busy,” said Eitan Chinitz, an information specialist at the Breckenridge Welcome Center. “We're doing a significant amount of booking for people for activities (like) sleigh rides, snowmobiling, zip lines and tours.”
Tourists aren't the only ones shopping in Summit County, however.
“A lot of locals have mentioned that they want to do their shopping at their local businesses and I appreciate that,” said Hopkins.
The holiday season has been strong for local businesses, even for those that just got started during the slow shoulder season.
“I'm new in town, (but) more people are coming in,” said Chad Schultz, who opened his winter apparel store Moosely Hats in October on Main Street Frisco.
The colder temperatures have also helped Schultz, not only in selling out of scarves and beanie hats, but in bringing more traffic to his door.
“(The snow) has been helping a lot,” he said. “There are more people visiting the area, skiers and snowboarders. I get a lot of them in.”
Holly Stein of Flourish in Breckenridge has also seen an increase in business.
“As we have more snow and more people are in town, these are certainly better days,” she said. “The weather has the greatest swing on it. It's staring to snow and the holiday is here.”
Flourish sells jewelry and artistic items made mostly by Colorado artists. Though these items aren't seasonal, they are selling well.
“The products are changing all the time,” said Stein. “There are a variety of things that we've had to reorder because we sold out. … We're adding new work all the time in all different kinds of media. We're trying to keep the store fresh on a regular basis.”
As the streets of Breckenridge fill with snow enthusiasts and sightseers, local businesses prosper.
“It was definitely a slow start and I think that we all felt it,” said Jennifer Hopkins, owner of the Worldly Traveller in Breckenridge. “My number of transactions per day has doubled in the past few days and I think a lot of that is the run-up to Christmas shopping.”
Breck is certainly busier than it was a month or even a few weeks ago.
“The welcome center is pretty busy,” said Eitan Chinitz, an information specialist at the Breckenridge Welcome Center. “We're doing a significant amount of booking for people for activities (like) sleigh rides, snowmobiling, zip lines and tours.”
Tourists aren't the only ones shopping in Summit County, however.
“A lot of locals have mentioned that they want to do their shopping at their local businesses and I appreciate that,” said Hopkins.
Looking ahead
Holidays always draw a
crowd and the important question for local businesses is whether or not their
profits will continue. Though there's no way to be sure, the general feeling is
one of optimism.“It looks good. Every day it's steady traffic,” said Schultz. “There are slow periods but then I get busy again. It's a successful season and it will be better next season.”
