EASTER TRENDS: Businesses see pros, cons of Easter weekend

Published 10:30 pm Sunday, March 27, 2016

CAROLINE HUDSON | DAILY NEWS WHAT’S IN STORE: Russell Smith, owner of Russell’s Men’s Shop, shows Ted Hodges some of the jackets in stock for spring.

CAROLINE HUDSON | DAILY NEWS
WHAT’S IN STORE: Russell Smith, owner of Russell’s Men’s Shop, shows Ted Hodges some of the jackets in stock for spring.

Shoppers were out and about over Easter weekend, mingling in the shops and strolling through downtown Washington.

With each type of business came different experiences for the owners, some seeing a boost and others serving customers as usual.

Jadey Fuller, daytime manager at Marabella Italian Restaurant, said any changes in business during holidays vary and depends on the day.

Fuller said she didn’t notice too much of a change in business during the day on Saturday, but it was slower Saturday night. Marabella is closed on Sundays.

NEW STUFF: Ty and Shannon Carter stopped in to take a look at some of the new merchandise at Russell’s Men’s Shop.

NEW STUFF: Ty and Shannon Carter stopped in to take a look at some of the new merchandise at Russell’s Men’s Shop.

Virginia Finnerty, owner of Pamlico House Bed and Breakfast, said she also saw a slight decline in her business on Saturday, although Friday night was a full house. Saturdays are usually her busiest nights, she said.

Finnerty said her business is unlike others in Washington because it’s more of a destination, rather than a store where passersby stop in spontaneously.

“My business I don’t think would be typical,” Finnerty said. “People, usually when they come here, they have plans.”

Despite the restaurants and overnight stay locations seeing either no change or slight declines, retailers have benefitted from the holiday weekend.

The Easter and spring seasons are popular for stores, and anything from bright clothing to bunny decorations can be seen in the windows advertising stores in Washington.

NEW CUSTOMERS: Jerry, Ambray and Riley Maloney stop in to see what’s in store at Russell’s in downtown Washington. The family recently moved to Chocowinity.

NEW CUSTOMERS: Jerry, Ambray and Riley Maloney stop in to see what’s in store at Russell’s in downtown Washington. The family recently moved to Chocowinity.

Russell Smith, owner of Russell’s Men’s Shop in downtown Washington, said customers came in bursts over the weekend, and overall, the business was bustling with customers. He said this past weekend was one of the busiest Easter weekends he has seen in all of his years of business.

To accommodate the extra business, there were four employees working at a time, instead of the usual two or three, he said.

“A lot of people traveling and the warmer weather and the sunshine have made a difference,” Smith said. “It’s always good, but it’s been exceptionally good this year.”