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Black Friday sales draw shoppers despite rain

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Early morning rain prevented Old Town merchants from setting sidewalk sales tables outside Nov. 27, but the Black Friday sales still drew shoppers.

Stacy Bart, owner of Unicorn Books and Gifts, said around 10:15 a.m. her store began to get busy and she saw a lot of new faces.

It’s been more touristy than it has the past few years,” said Bart.

Pamela and Frank Martinez of Santee stopped in her shop to buy a book that Pamela had previously eyed. After spending the night in Julian, where they saw it snow, the two shopped in Ramona on their way down the hill.

This was the fourth year for the Old Town Black Friday sales, said Bart.

“It’s definitely growing in the number of people participating,” she said.

At the Mason jar, owner Debbie Roelle said the number of shoppers increased in the mid-to-late morning. Many of them were return customers who had seen something they wanted and came in for the sale of 25 percent off storewide and 50 percent off select items.

“They knew exactly what they wanted,” said Roelle.

Still, there were some out-of-town customers. Ramonan Kathy Ristow brought her two sisters — Laura Lyons from Tracy, Calif., and Toni Lyons from Albuquerque, N.M. — to browse in the shop.

Julia Dammeir, owner of A Classic Tale, also saw a lot of Ramonans bring in their out-of-town guests. She was pleased with sales of Sands Alive sets for children. Dammeir said she had sold four sets “and it’s only noon.” Her merchandise includes children’s books and classic toys.

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