Old Town Clovis looking like Christmas

FRESNO, Calif.

The National Retail Federation is forecasting a four percent increase in store sales and many local shops are already getting into the holiday shopping season.

Thanksgiving is more than a week away but the holiday lights are already on full display in Old Town Clovis.

Businesses are gearing up for the holiday shopping rush and store fronts are beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

There are 42 days left until Christmas but everywhere you look the jolly season is already in full view.

"It's starting to look like Christmas around here," installation worker Eddie Serrato said.

In Old Town Clovis, installation crews were putting up the city's Christmas decorations on street poles.

And lights weren't just going up outdoors. The Knit Addiction store was closed to customers on Monday but owner Micheline Golden came in just to decorate.

"It's a tricky, tricky bridge to walk because people get unhappy if you decorate too early for the holidays, so for us, we waited as long as we could possibly wait," Golden said.

The holiday shopping spirit can be seen at dozens of other shops.

Carole Lester heads the Business Organization of Old Town and is responsible for putting on "One Enchanted Evening". The event kicks off the holiday shopping season.

"It's a little bit of a jump, an early start to showcase our merchants in Old Town Clovis, to remind people to shop local and support the local community and the local businesses," Lester said.

Shops are hoping to profit from the busiest time of the year.

"We have a lot of antique stores, a lot of boutiques and other specialty stores that people come down here for Christmas time, so we have something unique to offer as opposed to the big box stores," Wanda Leon of Fifth St. Antiques said.

While the holiday shopping season may come early this year consumers don't seem to mind.

"It's a little early, but it's really nice to see, it makes it look a little more cheerful around here," Corey Rawson of Clovis said.

"One Enchanted Evening" will take place Thursday evening from 5-8 p.m. Visitors will be able to get a taste of some holiday cheer.

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