Tennessee Valley business owners report seeing an influx of shoppers during holiday season

FLORENCE, Ala. (WAFF) – People in the Tennessee Valley are checking their list making sure they have everything they need.

It’s the happiest season of all, but it’s also the busiest.

“Because it’s just too busy to be frankly honest,” customer and Shoals resident Hrrbo Hrrbo said. “You’re always trying to do a lot of things plus it’s fun too. It’s the best time of the year.”

In the Shoals, several people are trying to wrap up their holiday gift list.

A lot of customers are out and about, waiting in lines, as stores shelves are getting more and more bare.

Several customers have said it’s better to shop local than online, since things ordered online often get delayed during shipping.

“I just ordered something for my daughter this week that wouldn’t get here and then I got a text late last night that my order was canceled for no reason,” Klos said. “So I thought that would never happen at a mom-and-pop or a local place like this.”

Patty Klos owns a Florence jewelry store called Parker Bingham. She said nothing beats the experience that local stores give customers.

“You walk in,” Klos explained. “You find it. We take care of you. We wrap it and we’re here.”

Klos said this year has just been too busy for her.

“I think the shortened week between Thanksgiving and Christmas and having that smaller amount of time has made it really crazy,’ Klos said. “It snuck up on everyone. It snuck up on me. Even though I’m helping everybody else with their Christmas, I still have shopping to do.”

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