While some people waited for the turkey to cook on Christmas Day, others waited for their Steakburgers and patty melts.
“I couldn’t believe how many people were out on Christmas Day,” said local Steak ‘n Shake franchise owner Debbie Richman, who explained the restaurants were open for the first time on Christmas Day this year.
Even though she said she chose not to open her locations until 5 p.m. when it was recommended to open at 11 a.m., business boomed.
“We had people lined up at the drive thru and at the door,” said Richman.
This has been a record year for holiday sales for Richman across the five Steak ‘n Shakes she owns, particularly at her Dalton, Ga., and Cleveland, Tenn., stores. Even now as some area businesses cut back after the holidays, she said she’s hiring at all of the locations and has lots of positions to fill.
“Most people aren’t [hiring] this time of year,” she said, adding that the restaurant might be a good place for people who are being let go from seasonal jobs to come for employment.
New-to-East-Hamilton retailer Kennedy Jewelers isn’t quite done for the season either. Jeremy Kennedy, a spokesperson for the business, said the jewelry store’s busiest month has traditionally always been December, but the busy season truly lasts until February. That trend has proven true after the business’ move from Main Street to East Brainerd Road.
“There’s been a little more comparative shopping I guess because we’re so close to so many others,” said Kennedy of the new location. “We’re liking what we’ve seen here so far.”
It’s still too early to say for sure, but he said sales in the new location have been at least as good at the new store as they were downtown, if not better.
With six fewer days this year between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Hamilton Place Mall spokesperson Catharine Wells said retailers at the mall added extra sales and “pulled out all the stops” to get people into the mall leading up to Christmas.
“Traffic was heaviest the two weekends leading up to Christmas, and although we do not yet have the numbers in, all signs point to a successful season,” she said.
To read more about holiday sales after Christmas, visit timesfreepress.com/news/2013/dec/31/year-end-discounts-a-win-win-for-retailers/?business.