Springfield businesses benefiting from last-minute shoppers

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The last-minute rush to buy gifts and groceries ahead of Christmas is real.

Small businesses in Springfield have been benefiting from this influx of shoppers.

"There's always a huge uptick that last week before Christmas," said Johnny Mouton, a sales associate for Stick it in Your Ear.

Downtown businesses tell OzarksFirst this rush is because of how little time there was between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

"I don't know if I would say that they're panicked yet," Mouton said. "Panic sets in tomorrow for sure."

Stick it in Your Ear, a record store in downtown Springfield, says they have seen a lot of people come through the store since Friday.

"That's kind of hard to tell until the numbers are in, but it feels like it's busier than it was last year," Mouton said.

Stephanie Pratt is one of those last-minute holiday shoppers.

"I always enjoy shopping local," Pratt said. "And then there's a lot of like good local shops down here in downtown."

She is visiting Springfield for the holidays, making stops at local shops like Five Pound Apparel.

"Doing some last-minute shopping stocking stuffers for my family down here," Pratt said. "Stuff that you can't get in Kansas City, just shopping around in the Springfield area."

Local businesses say these last few days before the holidays are important for their financial success of the entire year.

"This this time of year, it really makes or breaks us," Mouton said.