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2005 Best Of Winners

Discover Mid-America — July 2005

Days and hours’ decisions
by Bruce Rodgers, Editor/Publisher

Studies have shown that shoppers viewed convenience an important element when deciding where to shop. Store hours play an essential part of the convenience equation. Big retailers solve the issue by being open into the late evening hours or 24-7 for some. For smaller retailers, especially antique malls and shops, the question as to what days and hours to be open is trickier.

Location and staffing needs dictate when most small shops are open. Those stores and malls near heavily traveled routes can more easily judge what days bring in the most shoppers. But according to a study done by Arthur Andersen, “Tuesday and Wednesday are typically the slowest days for small retailers.”

Vicki Merritt, owner with her husband Bob of Ma & Pa’s Riverview Antique Mall, closes her store on Wednesdays. Ma & Pa’s is located in the small town of Napoleon, MO, between Independence and Lexington, just off U.S. Hwy. 24.

“Wednesday is a good time for a break,” said Vicki, who mostly works the store herself with help from Bob.

“We watched for about six months our business on Wednesday and found it a day of less business,” said Vicki. She added that Saturday and Monday are strong days for her. “A lot of shops are closed on Monday; we pick up the overflow.”

Nancy Myers, owner of North Ward Junction in El Dorado, KS, just starting opening her store at 9:30 a.m., half an hour earlier than most antique and gift shops in the Midwest. Many mornings, Myers said, she would be at the store a little before 10 a.m. to open and find people waiting to get in.

“We’re 20 miles north of Wichita and these people were on they’re way to Wichita,” Myers said. “Rather than skip me by wanting to get to Wichita by 10, I’m now already open and they have time to look around and still make Wichita by 10.”

Her decision gives the Wichita-bound antiquers an early jump on the day, making North Ward “ahead of the destination,” added Myers.

Down in Vinita, OK, Vicky Smith use to be open seven days a week. Now her Vinita Antique Mall is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

“We’re on historic Route 66, halfway between Joplin (MO) Tulsa and get a lot of foreign tourists. Those are slow days and other shops (in Vinita) are closed on Tuesday,” said Vicky.

She admits being open seven days would put her “ahead,” but “I work the shop myself and need time off — it’s what’s easiest on me.” Also, Vicky said, taking more time off helps her keep her dealers’ rent stable.

The reasons vary for shop/mall owners for when to be open. The important thing is to be ready to adjust.

(CORRECTION: In last month’s column, Charollet Disney, owner of Cherish Antiques in Overland Park, KS, name was misspelled. My apology.)

Contact Bruce Rodgers at
publisher@discoverypub.com

> Editor’s Notebook Archive — past columns