Cold weather and a heavy snowfall may have played a key role in making the holiday shopping season a success on Polsons Main Street, even in the face of widespread economic adversity.

Jackie Cripe, co-owner of Jackie Ms Footwear, said her business saw a good month in December as the big snow storm hit just in time for customers to run down and shop for snow boots and winter socks for the holidays. Jackie Ms, the local downtown shoe store that prides itself on “comfort” and “Montana user-friendly” footwear, enjoyed profitable sales this season and is gearing up for spring and summer as the business heads into its 40-year-anniversary in 2009.

The local footwear outlet has had its Main Street storefront ever since the business moved to Polson 11 years ago.

Marilyn Frame, manager and owner of the JC Penney and Hallmark store off Main, reported that her retail business had a good holiday season, opposed to down sales from the prior year’s holidays. Frame explained that with the wicked weather we received, shoppers preferred to stay at home and shop in town. But the weather was not exactly the only factor at hand, she said.

“Plus with the economy the way it is, I think people really wanted to stick around and support their local businesses here in Polson,” Frame added.

Cripe was optimistic about weathering the storm of the down-turned economic times as well.

“I think everybody is being a little cautious with what the next year or so will do to the retail market, but we have to stay positive and keep providing our quality product for our devoted customers,” Cripe said.

“We’ve already bought for summer just like any other year, so we’re stocked and ready for everybody in town to bring in their company and visitors to Polson for the busy travel season.”

What’s happening on the street

A new full-service salon and spa is set to open this week at 223 Main called Vada Lee Day Spa. Kristi Jore, owner of the new business, confirmed that the spa will have hair, massage, nails, tanning and body wrap services available with separate services moving in by March 1. As the remodeling is near finished, the spa is anticipated to be open with nail technician Danielle Kelly by week’s end.

Mission Mountain Natural Foods is expanding on Main from its location of 35 years at 319 Main Street into the neighboring vacated space at 315 Main. Co-owner Colleen Pinkney said the expansion allows her business at least three times more retail space.

The remodel for the expansion is completed and Pinkney expects to make the move soon.

Farm Bureau Insurance moved to a new location at 316 Main right after the holidays. Local Farm Bureau agent Trevor Motichka said the new spot afforded him a better traffic location for business on top of 400 additional square feet of space.

Motichka, who owns the building, works with one other agent and will be renting out the other half and some office cubicle spaces.

Two new restaurants in the downtown Main Street vicinity are underway currently. A new restaurant located off Main across from the Salish Lounge and Crazy Mike’s is in the beginning stages of construction. The restaurant project is headed by Raleigh’s Bar and Grill owner C.J. Condon.

The word on the street is the second new restaurant will be located near the Antique Emporium on the third block of Main and is looking to open by late spring or summer 2009.

A demolition project that leveled a building on the third block of Main Street earlier fall 2008 is planned to be a two-story office building belonging to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, according to Polson City Planning.

Mountain Waters Recreation at 305 Main Street is closed for the winter season and looks forward to re-opening around May 1 for its fourth summer on Flathead Lake.