By Lori Ehde
They don't say it too loudly, but Luverne merchants like cold, snowy weather for the holidays. It's good for business, they say.
"When it's nice, people aren't in the mood for Christmas shopping," said Rocking Horse Gift Shop owner Marcia Ossenfort. "Once we got that first snow, it helped."
She said last year's cold, snowy weather, which tended to hit on weekends, was ideal for small, local businesses. "People had a tendency to stay home and shop," said Ossenfort, who has owned her shop on Main Street for six years.
After the December snow, she said business was fast and furious. "We ran a lot," she said. "But we don't care when you do it; just do it."
She said overall she was pleased with the end result. "My December was up from last year," she said.
M-M Distributing owner Merlyn Lopau said his business was also affected by warm weather. For one thing, he hasn't sold as much winter clothing, particularly outerwear and boots.
But he did sell an abundant supply of outdoor Christmas decorations. "There was more time to put it up, and if they have more time to do it, they keep putting more up," Lopau said.
Overall, he said he was satisfied with his holiday sales, and he sold all his snow blowers, despite the mild winter so far. "I guess people consider them insurance," he said.
Laurie Ketterling, owner of Final Touch, reported similar sales as last Christmas.
"I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I was happy with what we did do," she said. "The Terry Redlin collectibles and prints are always popular."
Laudon Gifts and Collectibles owner Curt Laudon said as long as he can pay the monthly bills, business is good, but he reported a lukewarm holiday outcome.
"We notice there's less traffic downtown," he said.
"Not having Schoon's (Papik Motors) downtown anymore really hurts, and we don't have Merrill's, Creegers or the Diamond Center. People need a reason to come downtown."
He said people who do shop Luverne aren't disappointed. "Walk in my store, and if I can't sell you what you need, then it's my fault," Laudon said. "But at least give me the chance."
Despite declining downtown shoppers, Bob Cook said Cook's Clothing and Shoes enjoyed a successful holiday season.
"It was slow in coming, but when it got here it was fast - business was good," he said.
Cook said his family has been selling clothing in Luverne for nearly 50 years, counting the 25 years his father, Merle, worked for Creegers before starting his own business in 1977.
He also said the holiday rush was delayed by warm weather and possibly by economic fears from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
In the end, though, he said local shoppers came through. "People are appreciating small town business now more than ever, and they're supporting us," he said.
"And we all know, if you don't use them, I guarantee you'll lose them."