This year Elkader shopping reports are very positive and even better than last year.   Up and down 1st St, Bridge St and Main St.  shoppers are finding different and unique gifts.

Janet Pries, owner of Willow Creek Wine and Garden says, ” I think people come to town to find something different not found in the big box stores.  We always hear people remarking on the high quality product line available in Elkader stores at such nice low prices.”

Janet says this holiday season at Willow Creek Wine and Garden, she is selling tons of Iowa wines, plenty of Iowa made garden supplies, gourmet foods, especially beer bread and of course handbags.

Because of her recent move from Minnesota to Elkader, The Buttery’s owner, Jody Miller-Bown, find herself in her shop almost every day.

The Buttery 2011

Possibly because she is there, more often, to notice Jody is excited by the high number of local residents who seem to be in in her store shopping for holiday gifts.

“We have had a very steady pace of shoppers this year and I have been noticing a lot of local shoppers. It has been particularly fun to see quite a few husbands in the Buttery, this year. We love helping them pick out gifts!” – Jody Miller-Bown, The Buttery

This year’s big sellers at the Buttery include: Old world Christmas ornaments, jewelry, scarves, sprays and wreaths.

Janet Pries at Willow Creek Wine and Garden and Becky Olson at Elkader Carpet and Design echo the local shopper sentiment. Each of these stores are reporting great sales trends for the season and are enjoying a steady stream of local faces. Everyone is also crediting the good retail reports to an abnormally mild weather patterns.

Becky says, Elkader Carpet and Design patrons are purchasing furniture, scarves and jewelry.

Bridge Street Boutique & Gift continues to impress and satisfy both local and out of town shoppers who simply must visit this store to totally grasp the variety and quality in their line of merchandise.

Of course  Elkader’s “anchor” merchants  Turkey River Mall along with  The Elkader General Store, Moser’s Pharmacy,  and Schera’s Christmas Shop and The Backstitch are a ”for sure” merchant stop, this holiday season.

We also send a special salute to the Copper Frog, this unique shop between Treat’s Etc and The Buttery is very strategically located and we can almost guarantee you are going to find a great gift in Debbie Strochein’s shop.

Whimsy Market Elkader

New to the scene on Main St. is the Whimsy Market owned by Shannon Durbin and Michelle Gifford.  This little market is drawing people in from all over, with their well, whimsical product line.  The Whimsy Market is open 10 am – 4 pm Wednesday through Saturday.

Most of these shops have extended Holiday Hours and many are open this Sunday for the season shoppers.  Be sure to register to win Free Christmas  Elkader Chamber Bucks.
(1) First Prize $100
(2) Second Prizes $50.00
(8) third Prizes $25.00