Staff photo by Adam Urquhart The League of NH Craftsmen Nashua Fine Craft Gallery on Main Street was abuzz Saturday with last-minute shoppers seeking to polish off their holiday shopping lists.

NASHUA – Christmas is just days away, which means Nashua’s brick and mortar stores are seeing an increase in sales with those last-minute shoppers stopping in to find the perfect gift.

Now that time is running out, many hit the sidewalks on Main Street Saturday to shop for friends and family, giving a boost to local retailers.

“People are last-minute shoppers and people that are last-minute shoppers are trying to avoid the mall, I think, and come down and have a little bit more customer service, and not having to fight the mall crowds,” said Jody Gage of Fortin Gage Flowers & Gifts.

He said Saturday was fairly steady with an obvious uptick in last-minute shoppers.

The owner of Fresh of Nashua, Cheryl Plunkett, also saw a steady stream of customers coming through her doors. She said between offering free gift wrapping and lots of different gift price points, people seemed really happy while shopping in her store.

“I’ve had a good season from the get-go, it’s been pretty steady,” Plunkett said. “Today is busier than usual, because we’re seeing all those last-minute odds and ends, but overall it has been a good season, and people have been very happy and they’re embracing the shop local (mentality).”

With many people shopping local this holiday, operations manager at League of NH Craftsmen Nashua Fine Craft Gallery Lisa Lewis also saw lots of people poking around the shop Saturday, which kept her quite busy.

“We’re definitely busier,” Lewis said.

Moreover, co-owners of Camaraderie Boutique, Danielle Skelley and Kami Harris, were also quite busy assisting customers with those last-minute purchases. Skelley said they have received more business in the last week than they saw earlier this month. She explained that when shoppers are under pressure and forced to do it, they’ll then come out and shop. So, with time running out, she said there has definitely been a huge increase in business in the last few days, citing that a lot of those customers have been men.

“I think men wait, so they’re looking to find that right thing for their wife or significant other, and we’ve been really able to help them,” Skelley said.

She said they have been able to help some find the right size for her, even looking up past purchases she has made in-store to help the guys find out which brands she looks for. However, it’s not just men scanning the clothing racks inside their shop. She said a lot of women have also popped in to get things for their dog walkers, nannies, teachers aids and others.

“The last three days have been constant traffic, which is great,” Skelley said.

Adam Urquhart can be reached at 594-1206 or aurquhart@nashuatelegraph.com.