For area store owners, spring brings anticipation and nervous anxiety. Many of the retailers we talked to spent their winter researching new lines, learning new skills or techniques, upgrading their stores’ interiors and improving their websites. Now they’ve filled their stores and warehouses with new inventory they loved at market and can’t wait to show their customers. But spring also means retailers have gambled on their inventory, stretched their credit lines, and are anxiously waiting for shoppers to visit their stores or websites.
“We really appreciate our local shoppers—all the stores here do-- but we understand we need to keep earning their business too,” shared Sue Huebsch, Goose Group, Inc. “That’s why we gamble every year bringing in all kinds of new inventory we love. We just hope our customers love it too,” she added with a smile.
Karvonen's warehouse is fully stocked and ready to serve customers. No waiting here! Aaron Karvonen, owner of Karvonen’s and Lakes Home Outlet shared, “Many customers continue to ask us if we have furniture, mattresses, and appliances in stock. We continued to order inventory throughout the pandemic and have nearly doubled our in-stock inventory from traditional levels. That means if you want it, we probably have it - no waiting! Plus, patio furniture is also starting to arrive now.”
Andrea Greiff, Dot & Minnies and Level III owner extended an invite as she hits a major milestone this year, "Dot & Minnie’s is celebrating 10 years in 2022. Stop by to see how we’ve evolved over the past decade to offer the fashionable styles our customers want!"
Denise Schornack owner of Nadines, one of Main Street’s long-time anchor stores stated, “Nadine’s is excited about their new distressed denim jacket sizes xs-xxl that is reordering like crazy and their beautiful new spring sandals! Come check them out!”
One of the newer stores in Perham is Lexy Ziemann’s North Threads, but she’s not a rookie to retail. Lexy’s excitedly shared customers could, “Shop new spring arrivals from Hey Dude, Blowfish & more must have brands! Plus use $10 OFF with no minimum purchase!" (See North Thread ad next page).
Nadine’s new denim jacket is a customer favorite.
At Goose Gang, manager Jami Ahart can’t wait to show off the store’s new basement expansion. The store features three floors: the upstairs, the main floor, and now a basement that’s twice as big and filled with so many Legos, Playmobil, Brio, Ertl, Tonka, Bruder, even an epic Nerf wall!
Did you forget to pickup a birthday card? Need a wedding card for that gift? You’ll find a whole new assortment of greeting cards at NEST. From snarky cards that just might make you laugh out loud, to sincere sympathy cards, NEST’s card collection aims to help customers shorten their to-do list. Shop for cards while you’re picking up your morning coffee! NEST also just received huge shipments of their key cookware. Wild Goose is overflowing with new home décor, rugs, jewelry, silk succulents and plants to add a bit of fresh green to your home and office.
Legos & construction toys galore in the new Goose Gang basement. Bottom line? Perham’s retailers are hoping 2022 brings a bottom line that’s in the black. But most of all, we’d like to say ‘Thank you!’ to all the loyal customers that make it possible for each of our families to pursue our dreams. Ever dreamt of running your own business? Connect with a local retailer; Perham loves to make it happen.
Read the full issue of the call for more information and area events!