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Raining like crazy

Shoppers dodge raindrops to find the sales

Photo by Jenny Kirk Bernita Mickelson looks over merchandise under a canopy outside Mister Cool’s Clothing during Crazy Days on Thursday in Marshall.

MARSHALL — It wasn’t crazy, but downtown Marshall was bustling with activity on Thursday for its annual Crazy Days celebration.

Several customers came in and out of Tattle Tales, a children’s and maternity boutique.

“It’s been pretty steady,” owner Beth Blomme said. “We were worried about the rain this morning, but it cleared up and things are going good. We have 20 percent off store-wide and also $5, $10 and $20 racks, so we have some good sales.”

Blomme said Crazy Days is always the third Thursday in July, so she can gear up for the special event.

“It’s kind of a nice time to get rid of some of the summer inventory and get ready for the fall,” she said. “I’ve already got boxes coming in for fall, so it’s perfect. I’m doing 20 percent off on the toys, too. Normally you don’t see Melissa and Doug on sale, so it’s a good deal. I’ve had quite a few people coming in and doing Christmas shopping.”

Tattle Tales employee Vicky Albertson said customers seem to appreciate that the store offers a neat array of products.

“The nice thing is that so many of the items for sale here are unique,” she said. “You can’t find them anywhere else.”

Blomme said she has 19 different vendors that make handmade items.

“We have very unique things for sale here,” Blomme said.

While business was good inside, a cotton candy stand right in front of the store was equally as popular. Teens Morgan Lamb and Jada Cauwels operated the cotton candy machine and handed out the sticky goodness, while Anita Cauwels stepped in to help when needed. Young Whitney Voss was all smiles as she waited for her bag of cotton candy.

“We saw the cotton candy thing and I know (Whitney) wanted some,” Kaitlyn Voss said. “I’m also looking for shoes (Thursday).”

Along with daughter Whitney, Voss was also shopping with youngest daughter Elizabeth.

“I’ve come to Crazy Days the last few years,” she said. “It’s something to do on a summer day.”

Mindy Landgraff was also out shopping with her children. Ashlynn, Dalton and Spencer Landgraff waited patiently for a bag of cotton candy.

“I decided to do that just this year,” Blomme said. “I’ve never done that before. I looks like it’s a hit, so I’ll probably keep the tradition going.”

Dawn Bennett was checking out the merchandise at Tattle Tales along with daughters Jahkaya Bennett and Tasha Deuel and 6-month-old granddaughter Tania.

“This is actually the first place we’ve been to so far,” Dawn Bennett said. “We thought we’d come down and see what’s going on — and get a chair massage.”

People shopping downtown had the opportunity to get a complimentary chair massage courtesy of HealthSource Chiropractic.

Further up the road, business was steady at Columbia Imports

“It’s going great,” owner Dereck Deutz said.

Columbia Imports had been in business for about a year-and-half.

“We started selling fresh-roasted coffee and tea from around the world, along with specialty products like olive oil and local chocolates, stuff like that,” Deutz said. “We’re adding new products all the time. Now we have meats and cheeses from all over the Midwest — and actually meats from our farm, too, so we’re making a direct connection with the consumer that way.”

Deutz said he felt it was important to offer both specialty items and locally-grown items.

“(Thursday), we have a lot of garden produce, too,” he said. “It’s really a fun time of year to provide what’s local. People want convenience a lot of the time, but they also like something unique. That’s why everything is really specialized here.”

Dawn Deutz helped out at Columbia Imports during Crazy Days. She seemed especially proud of her son’s business effort.

“It’s quite the venture for a 26-year-old,” she said.

Deutz said some of the downtown stores aren’t as well-known as others, which is unfortunate because it’s possible they’re missing out on great opportunities.

“Sometimes you just have to take a day and walk the Main Street — there’s just little treasures all over,” she said.

Deutz said her son also attends the local farmer’s market, bringing fresh-roast coffee with them. He also anticipates expanding in the near future.

“I’m looking to develop this front space into a cafe and wine bar, so that’s kind of the next big step we’ll be taking,” Dereck Deutz said. “It could be another year yet, though. It’s on the back burner.”

Bernita Mickelson was also out and about shopping during Crazy Days. She found a men’s shirt she liked for a family member at Mister Cool’s Clothing.

“It’s going really good,” Mickelson said. “There are a lot of fun sales.”

Mickelson said she has been a pretty faithful shopper for Marshall Crazy Days.

“It’s an event that everyone can enjoy,” she said. “It’s fun.”

While it rained earlier in the morning, the rain dissipated, providing blue skies above as shoppers headed up and down Main Street and at other businesses around town. Later in the afternoon, a periodic downpours put a little damper on the outdoor activity.

At Marshall Aquatic Center, swimmers were resilient, opting to continue hanging out in pool even during the temporary downpour. For Crazy Days, admission was free.

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