Local merchants reported stronger-than-usual sales Saturday, the last day of the Dog Days of Summer, a promotional event designed to get shoppers into businesses in and around downtown Natchez.

&uot;It seemed busy downtown today, including a lot of out-of-town people,&uot;&160;said Tammi Mullins, director of the Natchez Downtown Development Association. &uot;I’m glad it’s being done to help promote shopping here in town. We have some great unique shops downtown.&uot;

The event was held Wednesday through Saturday, with merchants offering selected merchandise at discounts of 20 percent or more.

There were also drawings for door prizes, including 20 overnight stays at the Isle of Capri Hotel and dinners for two at participating restaurants.

Patti Killelea, co-owner at Brown, Barnett & Dixon, said the event created more business during a time of year that is usually slow. That store offered merchandise at 20 to 50 percent off.

&uot;We got lots of business today – and we needed a little boost. This time of year, most people are thinking of back to school&uot; and not spending money on other items, Killelea said.

Moreton’s Flowerland Co-Owner Brenda Zerby noticed many customers buying items to save for later.

&uot;We’ve had a lot of people come in and pick up items they wouldn’t normally pick up this time of year, like a large display snowman for Christmas,&uot;&160;Zerby said, adding that the sales brought in 20 to 25 percent more people that a usual Saturday in August.

&uot;The sales incentive is what’s brought them in,&uot; she said. &uot;They’re buying them now and tucking them away for future giving.&uot;

Zerby also used the event to hand out information to customers about pre-Christmas sales events to be held in November.