Crystal Small Businesses Brace for Last-Minute Shoppers, Winter Storm
The pending winter storm could impact travel plans and holiday shopping too. While some will see business go up, others are worried what it could do to their bottom line.
At Nokomis Shoe Shop, the family-run business has been a staple in Crystal since 2003. Thanks to Mother Nature, the store has seen a good holiday shopping season.
“As soon as we get a stretch of cold, then people start to kind of freak out that their shoes aren’t working, and they come in,” said Michael Hayes, manager of Nokomis Shoe Shop in Crystal.
Everyone who works at the store is from the area, giving customers a dose of small-town charm.
“Sometimes we know the people because we’ve seen them all the time, because they keep coming in, and we know what we’re talking about, and you can’t get that everywhere,” said Hayes.
Nokomis Shoe Stop in Crystal
Down the street at Cardell Floral, employees are busy making holiday arrangements. But store owner Jill Lescarbeau says she’s worried what the winter storm could do to her bottom line.
“People will think that they can’t order them because of the weather,” said Lescarbeau. “We can’t leave flowers outside because they’ll freeze. So, people have to be home. But not only that, we need to be able to get to the people with the flowers.”
The flower shop has been in Crystal since 1968, one of the many small business that rely on the local community for support.
John Sutter, Crystal’s community development director, says supporting local businesses is crucial, especially during the holidays.
“Small businesses are more invested in the community, they tend to employ people locally, and again, more of that money stays in the local community when you shop your locally owned small business,” said Sutter.
Cardell Floral in Crystal
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