PORT TOWNSEND — For many downtown merchants, the holiday season is the sweet winter icing on the summertime tourism cake.
But the harsh realities of an extended recession have added challenges for many retailers.
“It’s just more of a struggle to keep things together,” said Don Hoskins, who for almost 35 years has owned Earthenworks Gallery at 702 Water St. with his wife and business partner, Cynthia.
“As the old saying goes, you work twice as much for half the money,” he said Saturday.
“We’re surviving, and if you can do that you’re in good shape.”
The gallery was among the Port Townsend merchants participating in Small Business Saturday on the first weekend after Thanksgiving, traditionally the start of the holiday shopping season.
East Jefferson County merchants were open for Black Friday — traditionally the heaviest shopping day of the year, so-named because it is said that is when retailers begin to turn a profit or run in the black.
But many saved their specials for Saturday.
For instance, Hadlock Building Supply in Port Hadlock, which has offered early morning specials on Black Friday in past years, opted not to do so this year.
Instead this year, the Port Townsend Main Street program promoted Small Business Saturday via Facebook and Twitter, telling of a partnership with American Express that offered customers a $25 credit on the bill for shopping at participating businesses.
That offer was further sweetened by discounts offered by individual merchants.
Hoskins and others in downtown Port Townsend welcomed customers after an economic downturn that was exacerbated by nearly three years of limited ferry service.
That changed with Washington State Ferries building two new 64-car boats for the Port Townsend-Coupeville route.
Better ferry service has proven to be a saving grace.
“Our foot traffic this summer was up because we had good ferry service,” Hoskins said.
Winds gusts to 30 mph off Port Townsend Bay failed to blow away shoppers who roamed up and down Water Street, where window-front signs with offers of up to 20 percent off could be seen everywhere up and down the commercial drag Saturday.
Sue Arthur, owner of Maricee Fashions at 913 Water St. for about 30 years, is a big believer in Main Street, even serving on its promotional committee.
Her sale came with sparkling apple cider and cookies and she was encouraging people to use American Express cards.
She described her long stay on Water Street in one word: “stamina.”
“Between the [Hood Canal] bridge closure [for repairs in 2009] and the ferry service, it’s sure really all very challenging,” Arthur said.
She said her longevity is because of a strong local base of customers and return customers from off the North Olympic Peninsula who have been loyal to her store.
Across Water Street at Abracadabra family gifts shop, Marion Lodwick kept her business open until 9 p.m. Friday, had extended hours Saturday and planned to stay open later today, also.
She has been a Water Street merchant for 23 years.
“We worked really hard to get ready,” Lodwick said.
“So if anyone’s here early or late they can get in here.”
She said her shop saw customers from Whidbey and Olympia, calling it “the greater local area.”
“And they are coming for the holiday,” she added.
Harvey Windle, owner of Forest Gems Gallery, a wooden art and furniture shop at 807 Washington St. for 16 years, takes the holiday season in stride.
“My philosophy in life is there’s no special days,” he said.
“You just do the best you can every day of the week.”
In Clallam County, some retailers — such as JCPenney Co. in Sequim and Swain’s General Store in Port Angeles — opened early on the day after Thanksgiving, while others focused on extended hours and specials on Small Business Saturday.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.