The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1936-12-31
Christmas
Business Re-
ported Good
All Merchants State Gift
Buying Favored Prac-
tical Things
TRADE TREND UPWARD
Telephone Exchange Placed
More Long Distance
Calls Than Last Year

AS merchants Of this city swing
into inventory time the mantle Of
1895 closes with reports of a fairly
good Christmas business. Re
ports Of from "fair" to "very good"
and were not kicking" character
lies the attitude Of the business
street. Christmas buying-with
some exceptions-favored a prac-
tical Christmas.
When four Of the leading
clothiers and shoe retailers burned
out early in December the shock
was felt throughout the Street,
and 1t was feared that q damper
would obscure the Christmas buy
ing. Yet business rebounded with
surprising alacrity as destroyed
businesses restocked, and other
houses handling lines of apparel
added to their stocks. Merchants
In the clothing line, untouched by
the recent fire, reported one Of the
biggest Of years during the Christ
mas season.
Sank Centre grocery retailers
reported business good. One OBJ
served that the sales had been ex-
tended over a longer period Of time
than previously noted. Indications
were pointed out that foodstuffs
were bought for Christmas a week
In advance and proceeded steadily
until the day before the holiday.
While merchants said it was diff
ficult to compute actual sales at
this date, 1t is expected that the
volume will run nearly as high as
that Of last year. The fact that
foodstuffs are generally higher in
price than in 1885 will have a
swelling influence on the dollar
value Of the grocery Christmas
trade.
&c was observed that in the drug
trade volumes will probably run
lower than in last year. While
number Of sales is expected to
maintain a fairly constant level,
the fact that smaller items Of less
value replaced many larger items
may reduce the dollar value Of the
turnover. Radios, typewriters and
such items calling for large out
lays Of money on single sale were
absent this year from the average
shoppers list. However in Jewell
ny lines local firms experienced a
good year. Belying the fact that
shoppers were doing practical buy
ing-that is necessities, jewelry
found a ready market. Here, too,
the items were Of lower values for
the most part.
Hardware, toy and novelty firms
reported a fair trade. Toy sc !es
were holding their own In volume
despite the fact that many shop
pers pursued practical Christmas
All this buying is not without
its influence on the local post Of
flee. Last week Monday a record for
outgoing mail was set with 804
parcels mailed through the local
window and $500 Christmas cards
cancelled by local clerks. This is
indicative, that Christmas greet
ing card sales reached a near peak
for this year. But other records
were broken in the local post office,
too. According to a statement
issued by Assistant Postmaster
Roy Scott Tuesday saw a new
high for incoming mail for the To-
cal office. In the morning mail
SO mail bags were hauled to the
post office for distribution. While
no accurate check was kept of the
afternoon run, it was estimated
that 35 or 40 more bags added to
the toll during the day.
Christmastide is not without it's
boon to the telephone exchanges.
According to Manager Forsyth the
local exchange placed more long
distance calls this year than last
year. Figures show 1876 calls
placed last year on Christmas Day,
and this year on December 25th
that number had jumped to 1874
placed long distance calls. On
Christmas Eve Of year ago 233
long distance calls were placed
while this year on the same Eve
195 calls were handled through
local operators. The discrepancy
OF Christmas eve this year may be
blamed to the weather, said Mr..
Forsyth. Remembering that q
blizzard made driving dangerous
last year, he said that many had
evidently called canceling Christ
mas Day visits. Actual Christmas
calls sending greetings he believed
exceeded this year. The rise In
Christmas calls on December %
this year may be attributed to the
change In rate. Mr.. Forsyth OBJ
served that the night rate had ap-
piled all dav Christmas this year.
Last year that had not been 50,
and so many calls were given In
Christmas Eve inStead Of Christ
mas Day.
SCHOOL OPENS MONDAY