MANISTIQUE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Over the holiday season, small businesses across the country encouraged customers to shop locally. One Manistique store says shoppers have taken that message to heart this Christmas, as well as the rest of the year.
Dawn White, store manager of St. Vincent De Paul, says despite a tough few years for local retailers, business has been going strong for the thrift shop.
“Our store survives for several reasons,” she said. “One is we have a lot of tourist traffic that are shopping for antiques and bargains. We have managed to stay as busy or busier than we have in the past years.”
White also credits the store’s value for items like clothing and housewares with consistent sales.
“We try to establish a price that the item sells for, and then we cost it in our store at a third of the selling price,” she explained. “We’ve got some very gently-used clothing and we’ve got some that come to us new with the price tags on it that we’re selling, I’m sure, to go under a tree somewhere.”
During this holiday season, antiques and decor were especially popular with shoppers.
“I think every year that we experience a high volume of traffic that’s shopping here for Christmas,” said White. “A lot of people come here with an open mind, hoping to bump into a treasure.”
White says by supporting St. Vincent De Paul, customers are also supporting a good cause.
“We have our food pantry open three days a week and, by appointment, we have non-denominational assistance for people who need help with heating bills and medical transportation, that kind of thing,” she said. “We kind of have a slogan, ‘Thank you for shopping where your dollars help those in need.’ We also have nine people who have employment here because of our store, so we like to think that’s part of our special service as well.”
White believes that sentiment will carry St. Vincent De Paul through upcoming holidays and beyond.
“We always get an uptick in business at Mother’s Day, when the snowbirds are coming back and people are looking to travel to our beautiful town for the summer months,” she said. “We expect the traffic to continue through the next season and hope it’s a short winter!”
St. Vincent De Paul is located at 231 South Cedar Street.
