Jodi’s Journal: Critical week approaches for local retailers

Dec. 14, 2025

Not again.

The words went through my head as I winced looking at the forecast late last week for the weekend ahead.

More snow. Even colder temperatures. For the third consecutive Saturday.

Just to recap: First, enough snow fell to make it messy and potentially deter shoppers on Small Business Saturday.

Then, it returned Saturday, Dec. 6, — although I have to send another huge thank you to the nearly 700 people who still made a purchase during our five-hour 605 Made Holiday Market, despite a day that brought another snow alert to the city.

And now, a third Saturday was about to be overtaken by enough of a weather event to likely keep out-of-town shoppers home and at least some in-town shoppers away too.

It’s hard to overstate how much retailers — especially local retailers — count on holiday shopping. That’s especially true on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas — and there’s already one fewer than some years given how the holidays fall on the calendar.

“I’m worried about a lot of our small businesses this holiday season,” Mayor Paul TenHaken said to me as the snow piled up outside City Hall late last week.

“It’s going to keep people from shopping, and I’m a little worried about what’s going to happen come January and February. We had some announcements recently of businesses that have decided to close and can’t make it work anymore, and that’s hard to hear.”

Even new draws for downtown like the ice ribbon at Jacobson Plaza aren’t as busy as I know many of us would have hoped.

But first, how about a shout-out for these brave souls out there yesterday before it shut down until Monday because of the conditions?

The numbers are “good but not great,” TenHaken said. “And it’s South Dakota. We expect this.”

Well, we should expect it. We also maybe need to be a bit better at powering through it. I’ll acknowledge it’s more convenient for me to sit inside, do phone interviews and write on days like we’ve had lately. But I also criss-crossed the town several times on our snowier days recently and was reminded it’s really not that difficult to go about the day more or less like normal.

“I grew up in Minnesota, and Minnesota learned to embrace winter. It’s in their culture. It’s in their DNA,” TenHaken added. “They have snow vests and Surly Brewing tasting events out in the snow. I think Jacobson Plaza is our first attempt to really embrace winter, and we need to go outside in the winter, whether it’s Great Bear or Jacobson Plaza or the downtown Holiday Plaza. You don’t have to stay inside.”

I was determined to do my part and spent parts of both Friday and Saturday shopping and dining at downtown businesses. The crowds were steady both days — not huge, but not gone either.

The week ahead looks like an improving forecast, so despite the business of year-end work, school and social events, try to make time to break away and support local businesses.

Employers, consider encouraging a longer break during the day or allowing an afternoon off if you’re able to encourage your teams to do a little shopping or eat lunch at a local restaurant.

While you’re out, pick up a Downtown Gives coupon book and you’ll not only start saving right now but also support this year’s beneficiary, Emily’s Hope, which is doing impactful work to address substance use disorder.

And don’t forget about our area businesses even after Christmas as there are so many reasons to head downtown over holiday break, spend time in our park system, use your holiday gift cards at area businesses or treat yourself to a meal out.

Let’s hope the long-range forecast helps us out a bit too. The extended outlook shows above-average temperatures likely heading into Christmas. Maybe they’ll bring some upward-trending sales locally too.

And if you need a little more motivation, take a look at this — one of several photos sent to me by Paul Schiller last week, who reminded me none of them could have existed downtown even a few years ago:

There’s so much waiting when you dress warm, drive safe and get out despite whatever the weather brings — and plenty of small-business owners who will thank you for it.

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