TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- Businesses in the area are ready for last-minute holiday shoppers, hoping for money to pour in during the holidays.
"We've seen a lot of traffic," said Kimberly Waller, customer service manager at Hearth & Soul. "A lot of new friends we've made over the past year coming back to the store."
The store on Market Street was buzzing Thursday, as shoppers searched for the right present.
"We're all excited that we can serve our community in helping them pick and discover those unique finds that they can't find elsewhere in Tallahassee," Waller said.
The same can be said for Nic's Toggery in downtown Tallahassee.
"They like coming in and getting the service that we try to offer," said owner Victor Gavalas. "Less hassle, little easier shopping. We know the sizes and try to take care of everybody as best we can."
In its second year in Tallahassee, Hearth and Soul has found an interesting way to get people through the doors this month.
Every day in December, the store has given away gifts shown in a winter window display.
"Everybody wants to see the window and take part in the drawing to get those things for Christmas," Waller said.
Gavalas said it's crunch time for businesses like his.
"It tends to be a little bit 'business as usual,' and then, in the last week and a half, it gets very busy," he said.
The Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce says the boost is "healthy."
"We hope that, when people are thinking about spending money -- that they spend it here with the companies and people that are employing your neighbors," said chamber vice president Jay Revell.
The chamber says businesses benefited from an extra week of student spending with universities scheduling semesters later this fall.
