Post-Holiday Sales Up Despite Blizzard

The major storm that fell on the city earlier this week didn't stop Stamford shoppers from getting what they wanted.

Many Stamford retailers are reporting steady sales this week, despite the blizzard that brought at least a foot of snow to the area.

Danna Lane, co-owner of A Step Ahead on High Ridge Road, said the storm didn't stop her from opening business doors on Monday or Tuesday – she even dared customers to come out despite the weather conditions.

"With the blizzard it definitely shut down business everywhere. We still do business on super snowy days, just not the same volume," Lane said. "It was dreadful for everyone in general but it didn't kill us."

A Step Ahead opened around 12 noon on Monday and Tuesday; despite the delays, Lane said post-holiday sales are up over 2009.

"Right after Christmas we tend to pick up steam again. Sales are up, not a lot, but they're up. We're optimistic."

Lane said she tempted customers to come out the day of the storm, offering a special discount as an incentive.

"I actually dared people to come out on Facebook and offered a group discount," Lane added. "We had two or three people come out and call me on it," she said with a laugh.

Larry Weinroth, owner of Bedford Jewelers, said the store was busy Tuesday after the roads were cleared and made up for any lost business when the store was closed due to the storm on Monday.

The High Ridge Road-based jewelry store, which is in its 61st year, saw steady foot traffic this week despite the tough weather conditions, Weinroth said.

"Business is definitely improving; there is more traffic for sure. People are looking at more expensive things or they are buying things now that they might not have been last year. My outlook for 2011 is positive," he told Patch.

He also said the holiday shopping season started out earlier than usual.

"It started earlier than it ever had for us with bigger ticket items. We did a lot of Christmas business in early November," Weinroth added.

If consumer spending is on the rise in Stamford, it could be a sign of what is to come in the New Year.

But Eric Ozoria, operations manager of Men's Wearhouse on Summer Street said the storm definitely had an impact on business.

"We closed early on Sunday. After I sent someone home, he called in to the store and said he was sliding all over the roads. It was too hazardous for anyone to stay," Ozoria told Patch. "The storm definitely had an impact on business."

But by Tuesday, he said, it was business as usual. Looking ahead to the New Year, Ozoria said he is hopeful.

 "We look to the next year and always try to better our numbers. So far, it looks like it's going to be a good year."