Main Street Mainia, the traditional sidewalk sales downtown, did not get off to the start some were hoping for.
“We don’t have as much foot traffic,” said Phil Anderson, owner of Anderson Book and Supply. “We do not have as much retail. Of course, we remember the old days.”
Anderson said there is not as much retail in downtown, meaning fewer sales to attract possible customers. That could be one reason the annual sales were down for him.
But there could have also been wilting for another reason — heat. When the sale kick off party started on Thursday night, the temperature was 102 degrees. The mercury stayed in the triple digits the following day.
(Read more: Newton Kansan)