Business districts urge Spokanites to shop local

Four community business districts in Spokane were encouraging Christmas shoppers Saturday to stay local rather than go to the major retailers.

As part of “Girls Day Out,” the shops along North Market Street, Garland, North Monroe and South Perry offered specials to draw customers in, such as $10 off for purchases over $50, a free 2006 calendar or 20 percent off all inventory.

It was the event’s first year, said Donna Fagen, an organizer. Businesses displayed a pink sign to show their participation.

Jane Bennett, her daughters, Shelby Morgan and Kris Cole, and her granddaughter, Brandi Cole, took the opportunity to do their Christmas shopping along North Market Street in the historic Hillyard community.

It’s better than shopping in the big stores, they agreed.

“I just started my Christmas shopping today,” Kris Cole said.

“We have 27 people to buy for,” Bennett said.

The women interrupted their shopping for lunch at Ma Barker’s Café. They had already found a couple of items and were planning to do more shopping at the area’s numerous antique stores. The group didn’t have to wait in long lines to buy their presents. The move to shop local was just getting off the ground.

“I’ve had six people come into the store that haven’t before,” said Karen Tuininga, owner of Karenoia, an antique store along North Market Street. “It’s nice to see people discovering new businesses.”

“When people think of a gift, they don’t usually think old,” said Deana Solomon, co-owner of the United Hillyard Antique Mall.

But if someone was looking for colored-glass dishes, Pepsi memorabilia, a plate with a portrait of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Kennedy or a 1930s Columbia Grafonda record player, Solomon’s store was the place to shop.