Sales strong for small businesses

There no malls or big-box stores in Wantagh and Seaford, so local residents looking to do some holiday shopping within their own communities have been turning to small businesses to fulfill their needs.

The Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce has aggressively pushed its “Shop Local” campaign this year, and the results seem to be paying off. Local business owners are reporting strong sales as the holiday shopping season winds down.

Mike Timko, owner of Fun Stuff Toys on Merrick Road in Seaford, has been pleased with business this holiday season. “It’s been steady,” he said. “The key is having the right product at the right time.”

Timko said his business relies on its uniqueness. He carries a lot of toys that aren’t found in the big stores. One item that has sold well is Snowball Fight, a bucket of 30 soft cotton balls, each about the size of a snowball. “It’s fun in a bucket,” said Timko, who sometimes will throw one at an unsuspecting customer and usually get a laugh in return.

The Selfie Snapper, a device that can go on a smart phone or tablet to help people takes pictures of themselves — known as a selfie — has been another popular seller. It even comes in many different colors.

“That’s what it’s all about,” he said, “having stuff that’s different. We try and have what people want, but we try and show them what they’ve never seen before.”

Veronica Davis, of Seaford, was doing some shopping there last week for her 9-year-old daughter. She said it is important to support local stores, such as Fun Stuff, and enjoys the personal service she gets. “No matter how busy they are,” she said, “they always take time to help you out.”

Greg Markin, co-owner of Andy’s Luggage at the corner of Wantagh and Railroad avenues in Wantagh, has been very pleased with sales so far this year. He noted that a change in weight limits for airline luggage has sent many people to his store looking for lightweight suitcases.

Markin said he has gotten a mix of people shopping for themselves and looking for gifts. “It’s been very good,” he said of sales this month. “We’ve met our expectations. We’ve been here for 65 years, so that helps. People remember us.”

The store sells luggage in all shapes, sizes and colors, and even does repairs. It also carries major brands.

Julie Marchesella, president of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, said the organization has been heavily promoting the concept of “Shop Local” this holiday season. It has been running ads in local newspapers, on television and on the radio. “Everybody should be thinking about their downtown at this time of year, and throughout the year,” she said.

Marchesella said that the efforts appear to be working, even though final sales numbers have yet to be tallied. Among the businesses that have reported an uptick in sales this holiday season, she said, are florists and restaurants.

Anne Puccio, a co-owner of Coco Belle Boutique in the Cherrywood Shopping Center in North Wantagh, is encouraged by the store’s first holiday season. It opened in August, so there are no prior years to compare sales to, but Puccio said there has been a steady stream of customers.

“It’s been an exciting time,” she said. “We’re in a testing ground. We’re trying to evaluate our client.”

Puccio said the best-selling items have been anything related the movie “Frozen,” and plush pajamas. The boutique only sells high-quality items, she said, and has gifts available for any price range.

A personal shopping experience is what Coco Belle can offer its customers, Puccio explained. Staff will take the time out to help anyone who is looking for gift ideas, and they will also wrap it.

Marchesella said that small business owners and employees are very knowledgeable about the products they sell. That’s why she says customers should turn to them instead of to the Internet, which has become bigger competition for small businesses than the big chain stores. “Before you click,” she said, “think about what store on Main Street carries the product that you’re looking for.”

A strong downtown business community, Marchesella added, means higher property values for homes. She noted that the “Shop Local” push will continue beyond the holiday season.

Ken Jacobsen, past president of the Seaford Chamber of Commerce, said this year’s “Shop Local” campaign is one of the strongest he has ever seen. “We’ve really gotten the message out there more than in the past,” he said. “We hope at the end of the day that businesses are going to benefit from it.”