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CHRISTMAS SHOPPING Ashland businesses report a very merry holiday season Several say business back to pre-Great Recession levels Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Jan. 6, 2015 at 8:11 PM Updated Jan 6, 2015 at 8:12 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Jan. 6, 2015 at 8:11 PM Updated Jan 6, 2015 at 8:12 PM » Social News Yule shopping in Ashland was a holly-jolly affair with shops contacted uniformly reporting robust swiping of credit cards and people bustling with holiday cheer.  All stores estimated the amount of out-of-town shoppers at about half of their customers. Several said low gasoline prices probably helped in that category.  “It was super busy. The norm was we’re closed Mondays but not this season. We had to stay open late hours too. It seems people have more money and are more comfortable in letting it go,” says Elena McCory of Cracker Jax, a toy and knick-knack store on the Plaza.  “It was great, really busy,” says Jeremy Foreman, a jeweler and jewelry-maker at Art FX Fine Jewelry. “We have unique, hand-made product and people know that, so we weren’t much affected by the recession and now business is real good.”  Cynthia Salbato of Tree House Books reports that customers are aware of the need to buy locally and will come there instead of surfing Amazon, though not all the time.  “They tell us so and it makes me almost want to cry,” says Salbato. “So, we’ve been really busy. Shoppers would come in here all stressed out and would see the Mythic Muse Market. They would slow right down and visit with the kids and buy something from them. That also made me cry. They also loved buying the gnome doors that you put by your front door.”  “Mary” (who asked not to be named), says her clothing store is back to the level of business before the 2008 crash — and other stores are reporting the same. “This is wonderful and it’s also an adjustment because if you lost a certain percentage of your business, then you had to work within a budget with supplies, materials, the number of employees — and now you have to expand that.” Andy Whitlock of Emz Blendz Soap Company said business is definitely bouncing back from the recession and shoppers were in a great “holly jolly mood.” It helped that Mt. Ashland was open during the holidays, he adds.  Mark MacDougall of Ignition Gallery, a shop of wall art and rugs, said business didn’t kick in until the last week before Christmas — and business is gradually climbing out of the pit of the Great Recession. “Christmas was outstanding here. We had the best day in 10 years and were sold out every night, from Thanksgiving to Christmas, and that was with no theater,” says Karolina Laragnino of Ashland Springs Hotel. Lots of people drove from the Bay Area, Seattle and Portland, she adds, and the low season rates were attractively affordable, with many return clients from previous visits. Larks, the hotel’s restaurant was very busy, as was its Lithia Springs Resort. — Reach Ashland freelance writer John Darling at [email protected]. By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Jan. 6, 2015 at 8:11 PM Updated Jan 6, 2015 at 8:12 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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