HORSEHEADS, N.Y. -- Bargain hunters were out in full force Saturday, packing Arnot Mall in Horseheads to find the best deals, but those same deals are also being offered online.
“I like coming to the mall - but to beat the crowds I like to shop online,” said shopper Shannon Bailey.
The number of people turning to their computers for holiday deals has been growing.
Local businesses in the region are finding creative ways to compete.
“We try to offer something very unique that you can’t get in an online experience,” said Laura Dickerman, The Source Co-Owner.
One upside of in-store shopping, at The Source, you can make your own chocolates.
“We want people to come in and get the experience and customer service that we offer here," said Dickerman. "So we’re trying to stay away from online.”
However. other shops in the area are doing just the opposite to compete with online stores. They’ve launched their own websites.
“It’s a great compliment to the brick and mortar location that we’re in," said Brian Bulkley, Pure Design Vendor Manager. "It’s a way for us to get different kinds of products out there for people.”
Glamour and Glow also has an online store. But the owner says she would rather see people physically come in.
“I think, and I know customers agree that nothing beats the feeling and the touching and the experience of boutique street shopping,“ said Christine Spreng, Glamour and Glow Owner.
It's not hard to find other store owners on Market Street that agree.
“You become part of the community," said Bulkley. "You get to know people here and people start coming back and become regular shoppers and regular clients for us.”
“The whole experience of the gaffer district is we try to pull people down and create memories,” said Dickerman.
And they say that is better than any deal you'll find online.