THOMASVILLE—Local small business owners reported outstanding Holiday Open House and Black Friday income during Tuesday morning’s Thomasville Main Street Advisory Board meeting.

Special Events Chair Cassidee Brooks opened the floor by asking for feedback on the special holiday hours and revenue gained.

“We heard from several merchants that people would just come in waves,” said Main Street Director Brandy Avery.

Sweet Cacao Chocolates owner Dena White said this year’s Holiday Open House was one of the best ones they’ve had.

Brooks was excited to share that the Main Street Advisory Board had totaled $32,000 in tickets for their giveaway during the Holiday Open House.

“For every $20 that customers spent at one of our downtown stores, they got a ticket,” she explained. “Monday morning, we drew those tickets to win $100 downtown dollars and there were five winners for that.”

Following the Holiday Open House, business owners set up for Black Friday, where they said the weather did not hold back any potential shoppers.

“We always give out hot chocolate to the ladies at His Daughter’s Boutique, and at 5:30 on Friday morning, there were 50 people lined up at the doors,” White said.

Main Street Managing Director April Norton asked the local business owners if their Black Friday sales compared to their annual sales, citing the national average for annual sales is 10-20%.

“From the feedback we’ve gotten from y’all, typically a Sidewalk sale or a Black Friday are your biggest shopping days of the year,” she said.

Pam Hoveland of Spence and Lane Boutique, agreed, sharing that Black Friday is their biggest day for shopping, along with Holiday Open House.

“We opened at 8 a.m. and weren’t even ready yet, but we saw people outside waiting,” she said.

Shops weren’t the only place filled with patrons. Local restaurants that opened up for the Holiday Open House were reportedly busy throughout the day, with Liam’s receiving rave reviews throughout the afternoon.

“We had several people we sent there,” Norton said. “They would then come back and share how good it was.”

Overall, Brooks said the Board had nothing but good feedback about the sales and foot traffic throughout the holiday weekend.