After-holiday bargains abound

There are only 362 shopping days left until Christmas, and Jeanette Pittman is taking advantage of them.

The Hubert resident thinks the after-Christmas sales are a great time to stock up for next year. Pittman stopped at New River Pottery on Thursday to pick up gifts and decorations for a holiday that was nearly a year away.

"I enjoy it, and merchandise is reduced. You can get more and it gets me started earlier," Pittman said.

Her cart was full of Santa Claus figurines, other pottery and ornaments.

"I decided to come out and see what I could find and what was left over," she said, noting that there was a lot left.

There were people waiting at the doors Thursday morning, New River Pottery store manager Marsha Luckenbaugh said.

"They were ready to shop," she said.

Every year, New River Pottery reduces its Christmas merchandise to 50 percent off two days after Christmas rather than storing it, she said.

"We won't sell down 100 percent, but we'll sell through and be ready for spring," she said.

Among the items on sale were wreaths, ornaments and ribbon, she said.

"Our loyal customers know," she said with a laugh, "they know."

Joyce Johnson makes Christmas wreaths, arrangements and centerpieces, and buys her supplies when the sale begins.

"I do crafts, so I come and get my things on sale," she said.

Johnson Drug, on Gum Branch Road, had sold most of its Christmas merchandise before the holiday, merchandise manager Jennifer Nason said.

But that didn't stop them from marking down what was left. On Thursday, all gifts and Christmas merchandise were 50 percent off, including the children's Webkins toys.

"(We're) starting up a new year, getting rid of the old and in with the new," she said.

Contact Jacksonville and Onslow County reporter Amanda Hickey at ahickey@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8463.