Brilliant sunlight and high blue skies accompanied by crisp, dry air gave the afternoon an appealing holiday feel.
Unlike news reports from other parts of the country, there is no recession here according to shop owners and customers.
“We have been very fortunate,” said Jack W. Husung Jr., the owner of Magnolias of Salado located at Salado Square on Main Street. “We are not as affected by the economy as the rest of the country.”
Husung said his biggest seller during the holiday season is Christmas décor. The store looks like a veritable Santa’s workshop. Towering Christmas trees overlook spreading Poinsettia plants from small to umbrella size. All about are wreaths and bows, Santas, elves, camels, wise men and tree ornaments of every type imaginable.
Husung said jewelry and a full line of clothing for women and children are also popular gift items.
Chris Hale at Classics at Salado Square said customer traffic has been brisk ever since the Christmas in October celebration Oct. 10-11. The decades-old tradition sponsored by local merchants and Salado Chamber of Commerce Ladies Auxiliary gets things percolating for Santa’s arrival with early holiday shopping.
Hale said his biggest mover is original Texas artwork in oils and acrylics, lithographs and sketches. Everything handmade in metal and ceramics, glass and wood is popular, Hale said.
Hale said he’s prepared for the big boom on the day after Thanksgiving. He also expects extra heavy traffic during the dates of Salado’s annual Christmas Stroll – Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 12-14.
Tourists and locals will walk from shop to shop up and down Main taking in the lights and décor, drinking hot chocolate and spiced cider, and riding horse-drawn carriages altogether imparting a Currier and Ives appeal to the festivities.
Janis Ingalls at the Antique Rose of Bell on Main Street said jewelry is their most popular Christmas item. She said owner Rosa Dunifer prepares for the season all year by attending estate sales and searching online auctions.
Antique furniture and old china are also top sellers, she said. Platters and gravy boats make good gift items during the holidays and everything in china that is blue on white is popular.
Tyler Fletcher at Fletcher’s Books and Antiques said antique furniture, china, crystal and silver are all good staples for the season, but in his bookshop Christmas CDs are the hottest item.
“It’s the non secular music, not contemporary Santa fare, that’s in demand,” Fletcher said. “Gregorian chants, Renaissance music and cathedral choirs are what customers are asking for.”
Fletcher said this season customers are tending to look back to the early music of the last 1,500 years. He said if it’s modern music, it has to be outstanding modern – composers such as Franz V. Biedl.
“Modern is over the last 300 years,” he said. “We get requests for Handel’s Messiah, and Ave Maria.”
In books, Texas literature is a traditional favorite as is good literature, Fletcher said.
“I’ve always sold a lot of Advent calendars,” he said. “People are staying closer to home and following the Advent calendar – being more introspective in family and home.”
Shoppers in Salado Friday came from far afield. David Steinbach said he and his wife, Pat, drive from Georgetown to Christmas shop in Salado every year. He said the village is a special place to them and the shops carry things hard to find elsewhere.
Norm Medan relaxed in the afternoon sun outside one shop looking in no particular hurry.
“Why do I shop here?” said Medan, grinning. “I don’t know, you will have to ask my wife. She’s inside looking for a blouse and dress – something she can’t find in San Antonio and will be sure to find in Salado.
“It’s the uniqueness of this place that makes it irresistible good shopping,” Medan said, “and everyone is so friendly.”
