After the craze of the holiday season, Beaufort County businesses are left to catch a breath as sales slow.

Each year, businesses expect the inevitable slowdown, but the profit decrease can have a different impact based on a business’ tenure.

Leigh Furlough, owner of Bloom Women’s Apparel in downtown Washington, said since she began the business about four years ago, each year has afforded her more insight on how to deal with the month of January.

“I think it’s a trend nationally,” she said. “I think it’s a needed break. … It kind of goes from crazy to steady.”

Furlough said she still has decent business after the holidays, thanks to the out-of-towners who still come to visit the waterfront, but it’s less of a rush and purchases no longer require giftwrapping each time.

Retailers must also shift their focus past Christmas and start thinking about the upcoming spring season, as retail stores buy stock one or two seasons ahead of time.

“Your buying is a little bit different,” Furlough said. “Every year, you can just kind of prepare a little more.”

While Bloom Women’s Apparel has adjusted to the changes over the years, the profit decrease can be more difficult for newer businesses.

Claudia Millan, who owns Mi Amor’s Pizzeria with her husband, Pedro, in Chocowinity, said she has seen a big difference since January began — with less than half of their normal business. Millan said she thinks this can largely be attributed to it being the first of the month, and everyone is running low on money after Christmas gift shopping. Also, those same Christmas shoppers who may have stopped by for lunch are no longer out and about.

“Being a new business, we really were not prepared for it,” she said.

To combat the slowing profits, Millan said they are coming up with new menu items, including dishes with a more Mexican flair in honor of Pedro, and family portions to share.

She’s also hired a couple of high school students as staff because customers have responded positively to a wait staff.

“Originally I said I wasn’t going to hire anyone under 18,” she said. “I was like well, you know, let’s give the younger kids a chance. … So that has been a positive.”

With these changes, Millan said she hopes the restaurant will continue to grow and be more prepared for the Januarys to come.