Festival vendors say struggling economy isn't hurting business

by Kelli Cheatham (kcheatham@wsbt.com)

Tools

Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival

(WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Aug 1, 2008 at 5:38 AM EST

Story Updated: Aug 1, 2008 at 6:57 AM EST

NAPPANEE — It's been named to the National Historic Places registry and it's drawing tens of thousands to Nappanee this weekend. But this year, vendors at the Amish Acres Arts and Crafts Festival are competing with more than each other for business.

Like everyone else, they're dealing with high gas prices and a slow economy. Now they're in Elkhart County — a place hit hard with recent layoffs. But you might be surprised to learn how the vendors are doing.

They travel all over the country all summer. Some do it year round. For many of the vendors at this year's Amish Acres Arts and Crafts Festival, life on the road is a labor of love.

Blue Heron Soaps co-owner Carl Manthei said he and his wife did 29 shows in January.

Dolores Quint sells hand-painted Pennsylvania Dutch signs. So far this year she's traveled as far south as New Orleans and as far east as Manhattan.

Quint has also been coming to Nappanee for 30 years. In that time, she's accomlished a lot.

"I put one son through medical school, [a] daughter through nursing school, my third son built his house with the money from the art shows," she told WSBT.

Quint said she makes $60,000-$70,000 a year at the art fairs.

The money from this year's shows will send her granddaughter to college. But this year, Delores and other vendors are competing with high gas prices and a struggling economy.

"This will be the show that will tell us," she said of Amish Acres. "They come from Cincinnatti, South Bend, from Chicago."

Amish Acres Founder and CEO Dick Pletcher said many vendors are reporting an increase in sales so far this year.

"Many of the small [craft] shows are just going away and many of the big shows like ours are just going strong," Pletcher told WSBT.

But some of the shoppers we talked to say they're spending differently this year.

"I watch more carefully," said Patty DeBoever.

Shelley Hadley said she's more apt to look for a better deal and shop around for one product

"I'm spending less," explained Marilyn Peppers. "The economy has hit me hard."

But CEO Dick Pletcher insists the economy isn't hitting the festival.

"It kind of depends an awful lot on your attitude," he said.

And vendor Dolores Quint said she is optimistic.

"Maybe with the gas prices going down this week, maybe they might still come."

Last year WSBT reported there were more than 300 vendors from 34 states at the Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival. This year organizers say there are 320 vendors from 29 states.

Most of the festival's artists also have web sites or even small stores in their home towns. The vendors are quick to point out doing well in the arts and crafts industry is hard work.

More Good Stuff

WSBT Weather

icon
Current Temp 36.8
°
More Weather

On Demand

More On Demand

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Tonight On WSBTFull Schedule

7.00
Paid Programming
7.30
Jeopardy
8.00
The Mentalist
9.00
48 Hours Mystery
10.00
48 Hours Mystery
11.00
WSBT News
11.35
CSI: NY
12.35
CSI: NY
1.35
CSI: Miami

Question of The Day

Will the new health recommendations for women change your health screening habits?

E-mail your comments. We'll pick some to read during WSBT News at 5.

  • YES
  • NO
Today's Mortgage Rates