Last-minute Christmas shoppers kept malls, strip centers and thrift stores busy today.
From vintage records to Christmas decorations and tamale holders, merchandise was selling fast at the Roy Maas Youth Alternative thrift shop today.
“Christmas is going really well for us. With people hurting economically, we provide a great alternative to having to pay full price for something new,” says Bill Wilkinson, CEO at Roy Maas.
He says Covid-19 has actually had a positive impact on contributions.
“The quality of those donations have gone up as people are trying to rethink how they’re living their lives during this pandemic,” Wilkinson says. “With Covid, people are trying to get a little piece of their past back.
“It’s been a super eclectic mix of stuff this year.”
That’s important because all proceeds from the shop go to support the 150 kids Roy Maas assists.
“We’ve just kind of become this indispensable part of the community,” Wilkinson says.
Shoppers we interviewed today agreed.
“I come here all the time. They always have what you need; furniture, clothes,” says Bill Kiesel, who went home with a pair of $7 tamale holders.
“I’m going to stick the tamales in there and I ain’t going to do nothing else. They can get in there and get them themselves,” he says, estimating he saved about $20 by getting the pots at the resale store.
Hugo Miranda left with five bags of gifts. Some were for himself, like the Robert Goulet album. He also picked up a pair of earrings for his wife.
“If I have a chance to give what I find, and give it someone for Christmas, it’s very worth it,” Miranda says
Waiting until Christmas Eve to buy gifts is not typically his style.
“Usually I don’t like to shop at the last minute,’ says Miranda, 67, who works at Target. “Usually I like to go for bargains.
“I love this store. I do a lot of donations too.”
At the high-end Shops at La Cantera, bargains weren’t the priority for many shoppers. Parking was a challenge most of the afternoon as holiday hours shifted at many area malls from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Nationally, holiday sales numbers are predicted to increase by nearly 5 percent this year. San Antonio looked to be doing its part today.
