Retailers report successful Black Friday

By Anthony McConnell

Black Friday provided a bright spot for many Cody retailers as bargain shoppers hit the streets looking for deals.

“Black Friday was great,” Reindeer Ranch owner Jody Horvath said. “They call it ‘Black Friday' because businesses hope to get out of the red (financially) and into the black. It's not as ominous as it sounds.

“It was festive and everyone was spending money,” she added.

Sales were about the same as last year, Horvath said.

Other Cody businesses also reported comparable sales to last year.

“It was good,” Sierra Trading Post manager Tim Schuh said of Friday's business. “We had 30 percent off all apparel and footwear as an incentive to bring people in.

“We were down slightly,” he added. “But it's a small percentage and not that significant.”

Like Sierra, Maurice's offered good deals to attract shoppers.

“We had ‘buy one get one half off' deals,” manager Danielle Omdler said.

The store also provided a $10 gift certificate for every $50 spent.

“Our sales were similar to last year for the most part,” Omdler said.

Shoppers also flooded Kmart, which opened at 6 a.m., looking for good deals.

“Sales were good,” manager Scott Tennant said. “Overall it was a good Black Friday.”

While other businesses were preparing for the rush of Christmas shoppers, Sunlight Sports was busy with the start of the ski season.

“Our main challenge was that Red Lodge Mountain opened so we were busy Wednesday getting people ready for the ski season,” owner Sandy Newsome said. “If we had snow it would be even better”

Even so, the store still had a good day.

“We started Friday morning a little slow, but things really picked up in the afternoon,” she added. “People are looking for quality, but they're also being cautious.

“We're almost the same as last year and last year was a strong year,” Newsome added. “So we're happy.”

She wasn't surprised that other businesses had similarly positive reports.

“It seems when one of us has a good day we all have a good day and when one has a bad day we all have a bad day,” Newsome says. “Either people are shopping or they're not.”

With the Christmas shopping season in full swing and a national economy in turmoil, Cody business owners are on edge.

“We weather these things pretty well,” Schuh says. “We're a discounter and an outlet. People are looking at places like us for deals.

“Overall the company is growing,” he added. “Instead of looking for the most convenient place, shoppers are seeking out places like us where they know they will find good deals.”

Newsome says she isn't too concerned about the winter months, but is more worried about summer 2009 because many of the tourists who visit Cody and Yellowstone are from the Midwest.

“So far we seem to be insulated, but that could change.” she added. “It appears the Midwest has been hit hardest by this (economic) crisis.

For Horvath the downturn has meant a few changes.

“You'd be crazy if you weren't concerned,” Horvath said. “I'm practicing positive thinking and praying everything works out.

“I'm going to have to change the way I think about doing business,” she added. “I'm going to work harder and buy smarter.”

It's not just small businesses that are worried about the economy.

“Everybody in America would like to see the economy strengthen,” Tennant said. “It's not just a retail problem.

“We have to try to do our best,” he added. “We would wish everyone a prosperous and merry Christmas season.

(Anthony McConnell can be reached at anthony@codyenterprise.com.)