Local businesses are trying to cope with the economic hit they took from last week's winter storm, whose effects on the roadways are still being felt by motorists. The storm hit as Christmas shopping should have been in full swing.
Snow-covered streets in Fayetteville caused a headache not only for local residents, but also some nearby businesses. Retailers said the ice and snow that blanketed the area also put a chill on shopping.
"Most retailers are expecting these last couple of weeks before Christmas to make their entire year," said Block Street Business Association President Jessy Lang. "To lose out on a whole week of business like that, you are talking major disappointment and struggle."
Brian Bailey, store owner at The Mustache: Goods & Wears, told 5NEWS he made the call last week to close up shop Friday when road conditions got worse.
"I'm definitely not excited about bad weather and losing customers, but we can make good out of it," said Bailey. "Everybody is still going to have to shop and hopefully as a local business owner, we can convince you to not get on your computer and have stuff shipped to you. You still can come out and see us."
Bailey said he has seen more foot traffic in his store the past two days.
"Business has picked up since the storm," said Bailey. "We were slow for a couple days, but it's been great since then. Everyone is realizing we only have two weeks to buy our Christmas gifts."
Lang said many local businesses in downtown Fayetteville are teaming up to recover from the storm.
"If you shop at any of the participating businesses and show a receipt from that purchase, you will get your sales tax paid by one of the other businesses," said Lang.
Businesses on the following list have pledged to pay your sales tax until Dec. 25 with a receipt from another participating local business:
- Country Outfitter Fayetteville Square
- Dark Star Visuals
- David Adams Fine Jewelry
- Flying Possum Leather, L.L.C.
- Four-Legged Bird
- Good Things Boutique
- Hand Held: a knitting gallery
- Himalayan Mountain Shop
- Mae's Heirlooms
- May Bell Music
- Mertins Eye & Optical
- Nightbird Books *a free cup of coffee
- Passages Rising
- PIGMINT
- Riffraff
- Savoir-Faire
- Shindig Paperie
- Shop Lola
- Something Urban
- Terra Tots
- The French Quarters - Fayetteville, AR
- The Mustache: Goods & Wears
- The pAth Outfitters
- Town & Country Shop
- Vintage Violet
- Wild Heart