Marble Falls gears up for Black Friday

MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) - Now more than ever, mom-and-pop shops in downtown Marble Falls are depending on the holiday season to keep their doors open.

Some shop owners are even turning to creative tactics to lure customers.

"I focus on artists," said Michele Hart, a store owner.  "I am not really in the rat race of ordering stuff from China and then trying to price war that merchandise."

"Offer has high a degree of customer service as we can," said Michael LeVitt, a gallery owner.  "I know some of the larger outfits have many many more products than we do, but they have a lot fewer people to help the customers."

These are a few of the tactics merchants on Main Street in Marble falls are turning to to attract customers this holiday season.

Sales during the last six weeks of the year account for a big portion of their annual revenue.

"It could attribute for fifty percent of the years income," LeVitt explaned.

"My November and December pays for my January and February," Hart added.

But before these owners can make bank, they have to beat the competition, including big box retailers in town and the shopping cities like Austin and San Antonio offer.

Merchants are not alone in their efforts.

Getting people to pull up, park and make a purchase is also something the chamber of commerce is cheerleading for.

They're bringing in buyers by advertising and by hosting events.

One hope for attracting crowds - this year's Walkway of Lights. While city's like Austin have cut back on outdoor displays, Marble Falls's light display is bigger than ever.

"The walkway of lights is also going on so it brings a ton of people in from Austin and San Antonio and we will stay open for as late as they come," said Madison Martens, a salesperson.

With Black Friday just around the corner, merchants must wait and see if the chamber's work, along with their own, pays off.

"Let's hope, tis the season," LeVitt said.