BOISE -- Shoppers hoping to get the best deal on their holiday purchases stood in line around the country for hours Friday as they waited for the doors of their favorite stores to open.
Those shoppers spent money in the big chains with the big sales, but they also spent money locally, helping local stores with business this shopping season.
Like nearly every other store around the nation, local stores have faced a down economy. But recently numbers are going up slightly and Black Friday sales helped.
"We were definitely up over last year,” said Shannon Lincoln, owner of the Miss Molly store. “We had a lot more traffic. We almost doubled our Black Friday from last year, which was great."
Miss Molly carries designer brands and local jewelry. The Boise boutique can be found in BoDo and is a hot spot for the latest trends.
"Just browsing, keeping my eyes open for some Christmas gifts," said Alyssa Peterson, who checked out the local deals while shopping.
But owner Shannon Lincoln said the new trend is how shoppers are spending their money.
They're looking for sales and being more selective with cash and debit.
"We are seeing more cash transactions, more debt card transactions,” Lincoln said. “People go into the dressing room and love five things, and they come out and they buy two, instead of buy five.”
Money in stores like Miss Molly means more money in the state.
"To be local, to shop local, to think local, is a lifestyle,” said Wendie Green of Think Boise First. “It's not a flash in the pan. It's something that you should do forever."
Green said the Think Boise First organization supports locally owned and independently-operated businesses. It realizes that chain stores are essential, providing jobs and items that local stores can't. But she says spending at a hometown store does more than just help that one business.
"Yes, Target does employ local people, but a local business puts all of the money back in the community and they can make purchasing decisions,” Green said. “They can buy local and they can sell local."
Regardless, Lincoln said no matter where they spend their money, shoppers are looking for a deal.
She hopes shoppers will give her store a chance. They've done well this holiday season so far and she hopes the trend continues.
“My hopes are that people will come in at least and just shop and see what we have and maybe find some of those quality pieces that they are looking for,” Lincoln said. “And you know I just hope that they will come and see us. If we can get them in the store, that's the first step."
A new local program called "Deal Chirp" was launched last week.
On its Web site, you'll find a number of deals on a wide variety of gift ideas from locally-owned businesses.
Local business owners want shoppers to know you can find high-value offers by shopping in neighborhood businesses.
