Many slow returns

Dec. 26 is typically a popular day to return unwanted gifts and get deep, post-holiday discounts, but Monday’s rain on top of existing snow prevented many local stores from seeing lines at their return counters.

“We are not really busy,” said Nadia Sharp of the Coeur d’Alene Fred Meyer. “We’ve only had a lot of people at the candy that’s 50% off, but even there it’s not too busy.”

Walmart, Target, Bed Bath and Beyond and Fred Meyer staff said returns were slow, but that didn’t stop 50% off sales from drawing in at least a few shoppers.

Fred Meyer posted sales of up to 70% off Christmas decorations, and shoppers emptied the aisles as they stocked up on decor for next year.

Stores along Sherman Avenue in Coeur d’Alene were either closed for the holiday, or open with big sales on Christmas decorations, but crowds were sparse.

“We’re touristing,” said Jennifer Nanchy who was visiting from Spokane with friends and family. “I’m the only person who bought anything and it wasn’t even on sale.”

The Nanchy family decided to go shopping to get out of the house, and because downtown Coeur d’Alene is so much more picturesque than Spokane, they said.

The city has been prettier, though. The streets and sidewalks were slick with rain-soaked snow and muddy puddles, and it rained and drizzled throughout the day.

“There were so many people at The Resort on Christmas, and now downtown there isn’t anybody,” said Jeri Clark, another shopper from Spokane.

Clark was shopping with her friend, Ruth DeWalt, after staying the night at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

“We’re going to go to Mix it Up and another store, but I’m surprised,” DeWalt said. “It’s a little odd, it's so quiet.”

Into the Woods stayed closed for the holiday, while Mix it Up was open with a steady trickle of people.

Teresa Irish, who manages Mix it Up, said staff have been lucky to have a consistent crowd of shoppers through the Christmas week. Even Monday with the rain and small crowds, they had strong sales.

Mix it Up was offering 30% off all Christmas decor and many people walking down Sherman Avenue were either headed there or had already been there.

“We don’t sell clothes so no one really returns gifts from here,” Irish said. “We have a lot of really heartfelt gifts, so we really only see exchanges on gurgle pots to get a different color.”

Irish prides herself on the store's array of tailored gifts that she believes bring meaning and joy to her customers’ holidays.

The Angel Gallery of Fine Art and Antiques on Sherman Ave was selling Christmas decorations at 20% off and wasn’t seeing huge crowds. But they also hadn’t seen anyone coming in with returns.

“Everyone’s so happy with our stuff, we have no returns,” said Patsy Fealko, an employee at Angel Gallery. “Christmas Eve was a little slow this year, with the weather, but we’ve been lucky we’ve had very happy customers.”