Every holiday season, the Trade Center adjusts their hours so local businesses have more time to sell.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — It’s the weekend before Christmas and many people are rushing to the stores to buy last minute gifts. The Corpus Christi Trade Center is filled with small businesses hoping the last minute rush will help bring people in.
Manuel Guerra is the owner of Texapeal Shop, a family business that sells hat and leather goods for almost 30 years at the Corpus Christi Trade Center.
Every holiday season, the trade center adjusts their hours so local businesses have more time to sell. Something that Guerra said is a big help.
“It’s been a little challenging but we’re kind of doing okay,” Guerra said. “And the last couple of days have been as good as ever, so we are hoping for the last 3 or 4 days to be the same. So, we all have our fingers crossed so we think it’s going to be a good season.
On the other side of the Trade Center, Rene Rodriguez is the owner of Rene’s Gold Jewelry which sells sterling silver and gold jewelry since 1989. He said the extra hours allow him to provide services such as ring resizing, done on the same day, for customers.
“This is the one time where we’re able to open every day of the week. When normally we’re just Friday, Saturday, Sunday,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said the Trade Center is the perfect place to get deals on last minute gifts.
“We can go get a quick gift. I mean you can get a mug that has their favorite football teams, You can get quick sterling earrings … if you need a cell phone case for a kid,” Rodriguez said. “You can always work out a good deal. Just because it has a price doesn’t mean – they may come down a little more.”
Guerra hopes the community comes out and supports small business during this holiday season.
“You know that’s a great thing. Shop local. We know there are a lot of big business and chain stores but us little guys need the help too,” Guerra said.
The Corpus Christi Trade Center will be open every single day leading up to Christmas from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.