The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-12-18
TRADING DAY BIG SUCCESS.

Trade day in Honesdale on Satur-
day last was an unprecedented sue
cess. There was not a merchant in
the town but what did more business
Saturday than he did year ago on
the corresponding date. The mer-
chants and business men were high
ly elated with their sales on trade
day, many of whom established new
records in sales. Some stores turned
hundreds away, being unable to wait
upon the people. Others lost trade
by not preparing for the big rush
The merchants were satisfed-in
fact the day was far above their ex-
pectations.
Why so many people in Honesdale
the merchants of the town know
how to judiciously use printers ink.
In other words they advertised. The
liberal patronage of The Citizens S
columns by the Honesdale merchants
is largely due for a good share of
Saturdays trade. The Christmas
editions of The Citizen was widely
distributed through Wayne county,
going into the homes of thousands
of people, thus making announce
ments of our large coterie of adver-
tisers and telling our readers of the
many beautiful and appropriate
gifts that could be purchased in
Honesdale. Advertising always pays
and especially when the advertise
ments are printed in The Citizen.
Despite the fact that about 800
people went to Scranton Saturday
afternoon nearly six times that num-
ber came to Honesdale by train and
overland to take advantage of trade
with shoppers nearly all day, more
especially during the afternoon and
evening. Men, women and chill
dren were carrying bundles of all
shapes and sizes. The Christmas
buyer was prominent and a welcome
visitor to the Maple City. The town
had the evidence of Old Home Week,
the noise being all that was missing.
The stores furnished the decora-
tions. Many of the people who
visited Honesdale on Saturday drove
from extreme quarters of the coun-
ty. The roads were fine and the
weather ideal. Several of the faces
were new ones, which in turn caused
the merchants to look bright and
happy.
Saturday was Honesdale's first
trading day and The Citizen predicts
that it will not, by any means, be the
last one. Once established it ought
to be continued. Special sale days,
like is being conducted by some of
the stores, will undoubtedly grow
more popular among Honesdale's en-
terprising merchants during the ap-
preaching year. Trade days, con-
Quoted as such or as special sale
days, should be encouraged in
Honesdale. 1t is evident, with the
aid of printers ink, that it can be
accomplished. 1t would appear to
us that if a trade day were conduct
ed monthly or once every fifteen
days it would pay and pay good.
People everywhere are looking for
bargains. If proper inducements
were offered it is evident that sue
cess would crown the business mans
efforts.
Another feature, which might be
termed as difficult at first, is getting
the people to trade at the county
seat. They must be educated. Ad-
vertising is the business mans si-
lent co-worker. 1t will pull trade
when all other methods fail. If a
merchant wants TO make a success
of business he must advertise, ad-
vertise. advertise and then some. He
must keep his name and place of
business continually before the read
ing public. Spasmodic advertising
counts for little. In order to draw
the rural trade the merchant must
offer something worth while.
The stores of Honesdale are stock
ed with as fine a line of all kinds of
goods and articles as are shown in
larger places. Things can be pur-
chased cheaper right here in the
Maple City than they can in cities
where inducements CD have been
made to our people. Why spend
car fare when you can trade at
home, save your car fare, be less
tired, get your discount and look
your merchant straight in the eye
when you meet him? There is a
whole lot of satisfaction in this.
Now that trade day has been