Holiday Shopping in Lindenhurst Has Slow Start

Business was quite a bit slower for local Lindenhurst shops while many businesses and large retailers around the country experienced a boost from Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales this past weekend.

Several Lindenhurst merchants had for the second annual Small Business Saturday, but expectations for the amount of traffic and sales they would generate fell short.

For instance, Linden Florist had a very quiet weekend, while and also experienced a low volume of customers all weekend long.

"Unfortunately for florists, Black Friday weekend and even Small Business Saturday aren't very exciting," said Victoria Fisher, owner of Linden Florist.

However, they aren't losing hope since this is just the start of the holiday gift-buying season.

, a pet grooming place new to the Lindenhurst community, didn't get as many pets as they had hoped, but it'll continue to offer the free nail trimmings they offered for Small Business Saturday.

And not all businesses in the village were let down this weekend. finished the weekend in a positive light, with more than 30 guitars sold, eight drum sets and a half-dozen band orchestra instruments. The store reported that it tripled its sales from last year's Black Friday weekend.

To help bolster business during the holidays this year and spur local shopping, the Business Improvement District () and Village of Lindenhurst will once again be co-sponsoring a "BID Bux" coupon, which will be redeemable from December 1 to January 31.

The BID is a separate taxing district established by the Village of Lindenhurst to improve businesses and make them more attractive to local customers. Business owners agree to an additional tax, which is invested back into the district and helps to make the village's business district more appealing to locals.

"This is the fourth year we're doing it. It gets bigger every year, and it encourages our residents to shop locally," said Shawn Cullinane, Village Administrator.

John Frenna is the president of the Business Improvement District, and his business, , will be one of the merchants participating in the BID Bux program whose coupon will be distributed in small businesses across Lindenhurst and at village events.

The coupon will give $5 off a purchase of $20 or more in any of the participating businesses, which also include:

• Bak and Vogel
• Pak Jewelers
• Minutemen Press
• TCS Beauty Supplies
• Gus' Auto Service
• Spoon Cafe
• Elen Cleaners
• Patsy's and Son Bakery
• Linden Florist
• Good Luck Kitchen
• L-J's Cafe
• Norman Jewelers
• Subway
• Kabuki Sushi
• Rock Star Tanning
• Digicomm Wireless
• Heavenly Confections
• Joe's Gourmet Meat

"It's a wonderful opportunity to support your local businesses," said JoAnn Boettcher, president of the Lindenhurst Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to the coupon, Linden Florist, which has holiday arrangements, centerpieces and flower baskets available, will offer free delivery for anyone who mentions Patch.

- winner of the from the Mayor's Beautification Society - will offer treats for the holiday season including a variety of chocolates, sleds filled with cookies, chocolate houses filled with cookies and more.  

"If residents didn't get a chance to come out this past weekend, everyone at the Chamber of Commerce encourages residents to show their support this holiday season," Boettcher added.

To find the listed here, as well as other local businesses, take a peek through the directory on Lindenhurst Patch.