Mixed business for local stores

AUSTIN (KXAN) - While many woke up early to wait in long lines at the mall, others chose to shop locally on Black Friday.

Locally owned specialty store Toy Joy in Central Austin was packed with customers who decided to skip the crowds at the mall. Toy Joy's unique products helped to ring up plenty of sales on the busiest shopping day of the year.

"Everybody who shops here is conscientious about shopping local, and they're really understanding that we don't have a lot of things that big box retailers have," said Arielle Faye-Foulds, Toy Joy Floor Manager. "It's kind of why people shop here."

Customer loyalty helped this store stay in business for so many years.

"We have a lot of people who have been here for 25 years and were there when the store opened," said Faye-Foulds. "And they're right there with us."

Their customers said they liked supporting local businesses.

"You get neater things," said Jennifer Rankin, Shopping Locally. "Austin is about that, supporting small businesses."

The day after Thanksgiving, this specialty store was swirling with activity.

"We've had a very successful year," said Faye-Foulds. "I don't mean to brag, but people love us and they show their love."

Over on 2nd Street, it was a little quieter. Some stores were forced to shutdown.

"We hate to see our neighbors leave us, but there's another great opportunity to see another great store to come in," said Jane Vanisko McCan, Shiki Owner.

At the specialty dress shop Shiki, owner Jane Vanisko McCan has been in business for 11 years.

"It's been surprisingly really good," said Vanisko McCan. "People want special items."

Even still, it can be hard to compete with big box stores on Black Friday.

"You can't really can't compete with those big chain stores, so we encourage people to shop locally," said Vanisko McCan. "We need it right now."