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December 27, 1999
New Ulm businesses profit from warm weather during holiday seasonBy TONY ZIEBOL Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- The Christmas season means big business for many area gift shops, department stores and other establishments. Although that coincides with large sales, it also means long hours of seemingly non-stop consumer rushes. The day after Christmas, many employees at New Ulm businesses still hand their hands full with customers and some won't be too saddened to see their respective stores a little less busy. "It's time to rest a little bit bit now," said Shirley Jo Meidl, owner of GutenTag Haus. Donna Johnson, a clerk at The Country Loft and Doll Haus, partially agreed. "Now we can kind of get back to normal," she said. "I guess It's kind of winding down. (But) it's always fun to be busy. "It's been a fun year." At Herberger's, however, Assistant Store Manager Polly Flygare didn't mind the crowds at all. "That's my favorite season," she said. "(The end is) with mixed emotion." Regardless, many New Ulm businesses had strong years for sales this Christmas season. Meidl said her store had record highs this year. "We had a very good season," she said. "I think it was due to the really nice weather." Both Flygare and Meidl said every weekend since Thanksgiving was very busy, with the day after Thanksgiving the busiest of the year at Herberger's. "Most of the Saturday's were very good," Flygare said. "Every Saturday was as if it was a Heritagefest Saturday," Meidl said. On Sunday, it was a typical day after Christmas as shoppers flocked to stores to find after-holiday deals, spend monetary gifts or exchange items. At Herberger's, Flygare said she saw less gifts being returned but a lot of people using gift certificates. "(Business) has been very good," she said. "Very brisk." Crowds could also be found at The Country Loft & Doll Haus and GutenTag Haus. "(It's been) very busy today," Johnson said. "Business has been steady," Meidl said. Steady yesterday, yes, but shorter lines, small crowds and a generally slower pace are sure to follow in the near future. Until next November, that is, when the holiday rush starts all over again. Staff photo by Tony Ziebol Clerks at the Christmas Haus help customers with exchanges and day-after-Christmas shopping specials in New Ulm on Sunday.
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