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Sweet holiday finds at Moreton's Flower Shop. (submitted)

Kaelin Daye Russell, owner of A Gallerie Boutique, submitted this photo of shoppers busy doing their holiday shopping inside the store. 

A few sweet holiday finds at Kaelor & Kids. (submitted)

Kaelin Daye Russell, owner of A Gallerie Boutique, submitted this photo of shoppers busy doing their holiday shopping inside the store. 

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o're Moreton's Flower Shop (submitted)

It's a wonderful life at Moreton's Flower Shop in Natchez (submitted)

Believe in magic at Olivina Boutique in Natchez (submitted)

Where every day is a holiday, Olivina Boutique. (submitted)

NATCHEZ — It has been maybe slightly slower than the typical holiday season but still a busy time for businesses in downtown Natchez, according to local merchants.

Most attribute this to inflation in the economy making it difficult for people to spend as much around the holidays as they normally would. However, the streets have still been busy with holiday shoppers, including a mixture of both tourists and locals.

“Local repeat customers are my bread and butter,” said Kaelin Daye Russell, owner of A Gallerie Boutique and a partner in Kaelor and Co. and Kaelor and Kids. Russell said, “Holiday shopping is always better than other times of the year, but it hasn’t been what it was last year.  Still, we’re very thankful it has been busy.”

Most downtown merchants open for longer hours and on Sundays too during the holiday season to catch as many holiday shoppers as possible.

At Moreton’s Flowerland, Brenda Zerby said her holiday shopping season has gone “very well” so far.

“Some days are obviously more busy than others, especially on the weekends and whenever there are tourists. Opening early on Sunday has been good. It’s been nice to see people on sidewalks.”

Moreton’s entered “Christmas mode” around Thanksgiving by decorating several tour homes for the holiday season, Zerby said.

“I love being able to do that and showcase things in our windows. Out-of-town people love the fact that downtown is such a wonderful place to visit. It’s safe, secure and so eclectic,” she said.

Since recently opening Kaelor and Kids, which is mostly for children’s clothing and toys, Russell said “It’s been crazy to say the least” running between multiple stores.

“I’m downtown every single day and at one of the stores you can find me,” she said.

At A Gallerie, which has “a little bit of everything,” some of the fastest-selling items are athletic wear and Natchez sweatshirts, she said.

“When you shop local, you’re walking in to see a face that you know and who genuinely cares about the purchase you make,” she said. “That’s also money going right back into your community, which you won’t find shopping on Amazon or in Baton Rouge.”

Zerby said a lot of people locally are still not aware of all the things that are available in downtown Natchez, so she has been taking to social media to spread awareness.

“Come downtown and shop local because it’s amazing what you can find,” she said. “Holiday sales for us are about the same as where we were last year. This is our busiest five-week season but we also have orders by phone for flowers and flower arrangements. That’s an important part of our service. The arrangements that go with it sometimes come with a gift item that is customized to taste and color.”

Zerby said they go out of their way to support customers, which is something a lot of big retail chains don’t have the luxury of doing.
“If you call us and say you need it delivered today, we can do it. That’s the benefit of small towns knowing everybody in town. Not to mention that most businesses are offering sales throughout the season — another reason to shop local.”

Olivia Pate, owner of Olivina Boutique, spends hours outside of business pouring creativity into handmade holiday decorations, such as miniature Christmas village houses or holiday nutcrackers. Every creation is different and these creations fill the store to create a whimsical, magical winter wonderland made up of all of Lady Olivia’s favorite things from the imaginary lands that live inside her head, she said.

“My place has become a destination place. People come from all over to my shop to see what’s inside,” she said. “I definitely see more of that in the fall and winter because it is the most whimsical and enchanting. I’ll do (these projects) at home because when I’m here I want all of my attention on the customers. They deserve every single ounce of my attention but I’m always creating something in my head. I never stop.”

Pate said she sells a lot of Lily diffusers, mostly because when customers first enter her store they are immediately hit with a wonderful smell and seek out the source.

“I have them all over my shop and it will last you two years. Can a candle do that? No, it can’t,” she said. “The packaging is beautiful and it just has the most exquisite smell.”

Pate said a lot of her merchandise are things that can’t really be bought anywhere and don’t sell quickly because “they’re waiting for that special someone.”

“A lot of my things are waiting for that special someone. I carry a lot that nobody else has.

It’s waiting for the right person.

“Every holiday season is always hectic and cabobbled and all of the fun holiday things,” she said. “It has been slower this year I think just because everyone is affected by the economy.

It’s a good season but kind of different from what it has been.”

Pate said those who shop at her store or support small businesses will find a unique and more personal experience from someone who cares. She often ships items that those passing through on the river cruises can’t fit inside their suitcase, she said.

“Everyone who comes in my store leaves forever changed and inspired,” she said. “I’m tired every day but it’s all worth it because I do what I love, even if it means staying up past 3 a.m. making something. … When you shop small you get to know people, even people who’ve lived in Natchez forever. … We all need to support each other. We’re all doing the best we can.”

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