WINNSBORO/RIDGEWAY – The Fairfield County Shop Small effort turned out to be big on Saturday. Many of the shops in Winnsboro and Ridgeway were brimming with customers. Traffic was heavy through downtown to the extent that it was difficult to find a parking place.
Jerrica Beam, owner of To Be Stitched, reported clocking about 500 shoppers through her store during the day. Plus, there were 10 vendors and several food trucks in the parking lot behind her store, and a Santa photo booth inside.
Across the street at Shades of Blue and Cornwallis Tea Room, customers streamed in and out all day. Oldies and Goodies and other stores along the street reported brisk business. And the market building behind the clock was overflowing with shoppers.
Fairfield Chamber of Commerce President Gene Stephens spent much of last week promoting Ridgeway and Winnsboro shops and restaurants with video clips on Facebook and continued streaming live on Saturday.
“It was a great day for our shops,” Stephens said. “There’s a lot of great merchandise right here in Fairfield County – a lot more than I think people realize. We had a lot of our Fairfield residents out, but we also had a lot of visitors from surrounding counties,” he said. “It’s good to see the downtown streets crowded.”
The next Holiday Market will be Saturday, Dec. 12, from 9 am. – 1 p.m. in the market building behind the clock. Stores will be open late.
“Come to town next Saturday and enjoy the shop small experience,” Stephens said. “It’s a breath of fresh air. There’s lots to see and buy. Enjoy lunch at one of our restaurants or one of the food trucks. It’s a shopping experience that we hope will become a habit.”
