Old Colorado City businesses hope for boost in shoppers as holiday season nears [Video]

OLD COLORADO CITY, Colo. (KOAA) — The checkout counter is generally a busy place after Thanksgiving, but Hapke’s Hortum owner Clayton Hapke says the lines at checkout counters up and down Colorado Avenue haven’t been nearly as active.

“The avenue is definitely experienced less spending this year,” he said. “It’s kind of following up through the summer, and businesses downtown have felt it.”

Hapke says the reason for the dip in customers is anyone’s guess.

“Groceries are up. Gas prices are up. So, I don’t know,” he said.

Hapke says Black Friday and Small Business Saturday sales up and down OCC should help, adding that storefronts along the Avenue. Will each have something to offer that you can’t find at a bigger store or online.

“We’re a local company that prides themselves and absolutely takes care of their plants and willing to help new plant people,” Hapke said.

Across the …