Downtown Business Owners Pleased With Holiday Shopping Season

The holiday shopping season couldn't have been better for three of downtown Kent's more popular stores: , and .

"We were very busy and I was very pleased at how shopping went this season," said Bob Mayfield, owner of McKay Bricker. "I think it's because we've been here longer and because the shop local movement is getting traction."

Mayfield said the other small businesses in downtown had the same thoughts, and the good thing is that they help each other succeed.

"We all talk about each other, so maybe someone who is over at The Works will head over here next," Mayfield said.

Mayfield's biggest sellers this season were his tree ornaments, black squirrel ornaments and framing of submitted photos.

"The weather was much nicer this year than last year, so we didn't have to contend with that," Mayfield smiled. "That was pretty nice."

Kyle Buckley, manager of Off the Wagon, attributed the store's success to the fact that it expanded in size, and therefore, inventory.

"(Shopping) went pretty swell," Buckley said. "We were busy a lot of the time and I think it's because we offered free gift wrapping. That surprised a lot of people."

Buckley sold a fair amount of board games and mustache, bacon, pickle and cupcake gifts. His cutest seller were Squishables, which are large, round fuzzy animals.

"They're large, and a little more expensive, but they're so darn cute," Buckley said squeezing a green frog Squishable.

Over at The Works, manager Jenny Arthur said she had the busiest season she can recall.

"We had a great season," Arthur said. "I think everyone in Kent was shopping local this year."

Her biggest sellers were scarves, blankets and different art pieces.

"With people hearing a lot about things being built around here, they want to come here and see what's going on," Arther said. "It's a fun place to be."

Mayfield said shopping local is the lifeblood of the downtown Kent community.

"The importance of spending dollars locally are magnified because we spend most of our money locally, through payroll, this space and we contribute to nonprofits," Mayfield said. "This is our community. We contribute a lot and it stays in the community."

Buckley agreed.

"We're giving back," Buckley said. "And with a small store like this, you get a chance to connect with the people who live here. I don't see them as customers, I see them as people."

Arthur said the best part of shopping local is seeing generations of families come into the store.

"You get a sense of, not necessarily family, but everyone is around, it's a friendly town and we have more unique gifts than what you might find in a big box store," Arthur said.