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oo It wasn't the best, but it sure wasn't bad PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, Janvary 5, 1988 -- 3 Retail stores mark a steady Christmas It wasn't the best Christmas ever for most Port Perry merchants, but a random survey conducted by the Star revealed nobody was hurting through December 1987. Ever since the roller coaster tumult of the stock market started frightening the world, many economists predicted a slow Christmas for retailers and tight- fisted spending by consumers. In anticipation of a slower than 'usual month, many local merchants compromised with Boxing Day type sales throughout the entire month of December. Bill Brock, for example, from Brock's Department Store said his Christmas business was "fine, good, better than I expected," but he ran a 15 percent off sale for the first few weeks of December, to keep buyers interested. "It worked, and it did not ruin sales for the last week before Christmas," he said. The strategy was similar at Im- ages, a clothing boutique that featured a different sale every week in the month. Co-owner Val Menzies said the store boasted more stock this year, its second Christmas season, com- bined with more sales. The results, she said, were better than last year. "You have to have something to keep shoppers at home," she said about the sales, referring to the number of pre-Christmas sales go- 'ing on in places like Oshawa. Lynne Bertrand, owner of In Fashion at the plaza, was entirely pleased with her first Christmas in business. "I haven't much to compare it to, but it did seem busy," she said. "The Saturday before Christmas we had three people working in here and customers were lined up to get into the changerooms." . Things were definitely hopping at the Settlement House where owner Daphne Mitchell said the store had its best Christmas ever. Howard Hall, on the other hand, said House of Howard's best year was not 1987--it was 1986. 'Last year was an exceptionally big year," he stated. This year, he added, seemed to pale in comparison, even though it - wasn't a bad month at all in its own right. "It was allright, but not as much big-ticket stuff," he said, explaining that sales of large appliances such as stoves, fridges, dishwashers and microwaves were way down over last year. On the other hand, the smaller items sold at his Radio Shack department went like hotcakes. Jean McDermott isn't sure what happened to her clothing store this year. '"The whole month was down from say, a year ago," she said about Dor-Jean's. But she's not sure if her new location or the economy is to blame. Bonnie Durward, new owner of Country Classics, didn't have a spectacular month either. "It's just been like a regular month to me," she said. 'It was a little bit better but certainly not what I would have anticipated." Port Perry and area residents must have been in a sporting mood for Christmas as both sports shops report that sales were brisk during December. Sports and leisure clothing, sneakers, gloves and hockey equip- ment of all kinds sold well during December according to Barry Johnston at Sportsland on Water Street and Bob Jamieson at Pineridge Sports on Queen Street. "I'm reasonably pleased," saic Mr. Johnston, adding that since this is his first Christmas since taking over the business last July, he doesn't have figures to compare with. Along with skates and hockey equipment, Mr. Johnston said billiard supplies and darts were very popular items with shoppers this Christmas. Mr. Jamieson at Pineridge said he is "very pleased' with the volume of sales leading up to Christmas. Most buyers were paying with cash and cheque, as opposed to credit cards. Both Mr. Johnston and Mr. Jamieson told the Star that Mother Nature probably gave them an add- ed bonus this year just after Christmas. Perfect ice conditions ¢a Lake Scugog touched off sales of skates at both stores. And they were kept busy sharpening skates as peo- ple hauled them out of the garage or closet for the first time in years to take advantage of the conditions on the lake. In the mens clothing business, Fred Churchill of Selections on Queen Street said sweaters and shirts were very popular gift items this year, but suit and jacket sales were a bit slower than he anticipated. And he said a lot of customers were taking advantage of the store's lay-away plan this December. Generally, Mr. Churchill said he was pleased with the Christmas business, though he ha8 nothing to compare figures with since this is his first year operating the store. "I'd have to say I'm fairly happy with the way things-went,"' he told the Star last week. After some concern early in December over soft sales, Mr. Chur- chill said business picked up con- siderably the second week of the month and increased right up to Christmas. He said staying open to 9:00 PM weekdays during December did not lead to large hordes of evening shop- pers, but this is something the con- sumer has to get used to and he ex- pects next year, evening shopping before Christmas will be better. Mr. Churchill said that credit card buying amounted to about 35 per- cent of his sales during the month, which surprised him a little. "I thought it (credit card sales) would have been higher," he said. No parking signs for Honey's Beach In an effort to solve the ongoing problem of cars and trucks parked on Concession 9 and the Honey's Beach Road, 'No Parking Anytime" signs will be posted there this week. Last February, the Township posted signs forbidding parking on these roads if it interferes with snow removal or normal vehicle traffic. However, with the arrival of another ice fishing season on Lake Scugog, Honey's Beach Road and parts of Concession 9 are clogged with vehicles left by persons ice fishing on the lake. In fact, last Saturday, there were close to 100 cars and trucks parked along the roadsides and Ward 1 councillor Yvonne Christie, who is receiving complaints from residents of Honey's Beach, said Monday that some cars were blocking private driveways. Roads superintendent Ronn Mac- Donald said Monday the new signs will be put up this week and both the Durham Police and the Township THE DURHAM BOARD OF EDUCATION -- PORT PERRY HIGH SCHOOL -- NIGHT SCHOOL REGISTRATION MONDAY, JAN. 11th and TUESDAY, JAN. 12th REGISTRATION FEE .... *2.00 per instructional hour COURSE HOURS MATERIAL NIGHT FEE Aerobics to Music Badminton Ballroom Dancing - begin. Ballroom Dancing - int. Cloth Doll Making Fitness for Women Hairdressing Horsemanship Microcomputers - begin. " Microwave Cooking Quilting Typing Word Processing 10 Tues. 15 Tues. by-law officer have been instructed to issue $10 tickets. But Township administrator Earl Cuddie told council Monday after- noon that even issuing $10 tickets may not solve the congestion SELECTED ITEMS CLEARANCE!!! created by parked vehicles. "The ice fishermen come to Lake Scugog to go fishing. : It has been suggested by members of council that to ease the congestion along the Honey's Beach Road, the municipality should at- tempt to come to an agreement with the owner of West Shore Marine whereby Marina land could be used as a parking lot for ice fishermen and snowmobilers'. = UP TO .. 50% ... quality at reasonable prices! - SELECTIONS PORT PERRY'S MEN'S SHOP ¢ 241 QUEEN STREET -- PORT PERRY Phone 985-8977 BAYCREST SHEET SETS Sele Vl el cag Hela )Vi] TT <1[OT J J -T-1oTUT JP SPN p pd -]al lela] V Nola Ma] -T=][\V-§ f= In a high thread count - 50% Cotton/50% Polyester blend. Choose from assorted patterns in sizes LRN 2 [aA 0 Le 10] oI [-3F-Ta ls OIVL-1-1sB SHEET SETS - reg. $38. t0 $66. .......oooovvvnnn SALE ®*18.99 to ®*32.99 COMFORTER COVERS - reg. $60. to $90. ........ SALE *29.99 to ®*44.99 YOUR (c]] on gies With any purchase of a Sheet Set and Matching Comforter Cover during this event, you will receive Two Standard-size, Polyester-filled Pillows (a $32.00 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 15 20 20 20 Tues. Thurs. Tues. Tues. Tues. Tues. Tues. Thurs. Tues. Tues. 130.00 *12.00 *40.00 15.00 *100.00 value) at no extra charge. h'4-1-1 1] aY-14d- 2-11} (Je l-3-IK-1" LBs CR =1=)\Y (w= a PNY AN 571-1211 - WE, CEE Wd NLR Ta re TR