Mother’s Day is upon us and is a great opportunity to support Newton’s local businesses. “With early spring sales slower than usual this year for many of Newton’s brick and mortar businesses, Mother’s Day is more important than ever,” says Lauren Berman, founder and owner of AllOverNewton, a marketing firm that works with the city’s small businesses.
In a recent Zoom meeting hosted by the Charles River Chamber of Commerce, several brick-and-mortar businesses suggested inflation, fears of a possible recession, and a shift to online shopping since the pandemic as reasons for a slowdown in early Spring sales.
Amy Shih, owner of Just Next Door, a gift shop in Auburndale, said that “sales have been off,” but hopes that the warmer weather will encourage an increase in foot traffic and result in more sales. “Mother’s Day drives our spring business, and brings in our highest card sales of the year,” Shih said.
Other local shop owners are also looking forward to Mother’s Day shopping. Folklorica store manager, Jill Schwab considers Mother’s Days as “a main event.” According to the owner, Lucinda Chrislip of Derby Farm Flowers in Newton Centre, “Mother’s Day is the biggest floral holiday of the year.” Linda de Valpine of Greentail Table, a home decor and gift shop in Nonantum, agrees. “Mother’s Day ranks right behind the winter holidays in terms of sales volume.”
“The recent closing of West Newton’s Artitudes, a beloved local gift shop, is a harsh reminder that if we don’t shop local, even when at times it may be easier to shop online, these businesses may not be around next year for Mother’s Day,” she added. All Over Newton has created a Mother’s Day Guide of local Newton small businesses.