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Page 14 · column 3 of 6 · from the scan, no model involved
January last year, we’re still way off.”
PHYLLIS SWINDLER manages Country Manor, another open-all-year shop. “Since we just opened in July, I don’t have last winter to compare to, so I really can’t say.” Country Manor sells Texaco gas. They, too, complied with the voluntary closing request at first, but they sell gas now.
Danny Hitt of the Sperryville Emporium was more optimistic than his colleagues. “The past couple of weekends our sales have been up to where they are in any other year. People just aren’t believing what they hear. Now four weeks ago, things looked real bad.”
A month ago, Hitt noted, “50% drop in people coming through and a 25% drop in sales.”
Most customers at the Emporium, like the other shops, are from the Washington metropolitan area, as Hitt sees it, these people will continue to come. “They’re not gonna stay in the city all the time. They have to have a break and go to the country.
IN HITT’S opinion, the “crisis” may even ultimately help the Emporium’s business. “The way
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