Many stores offered considerable discounts, such as 75 percent off Betsey Johnson tops at Jeanologie, 303 M.A.C Ave., and 30 percent off books at Curious Books, 307 E. Grand River Ave. Some store owners said although they saw an increase of traffic through their
stores, sales did not significantly increase.

The discount at ReThreads drew more first-time customers, such as Bores, store manager Katrina Rhea said.

“We’ve had some people just kind of walk in,” she said. “They’re happy when they find out about (the deals).”

As of midafternoon Friday, sales were up only slightly more than normal, but more customers had stopped by than a typical Friday, Rhea said.

Down the street at Wanderer’s Tea House, 547 E. Grand River Ave., customers received discounts on the shop’s green tea and Spartan crepe special, as well as reduced prices on two other tea offerings.

About one in every three customers asked about the shop’s discounts, chef Philip Wolfe said.

“(Business is up) a little bit,” Wolfe said as the shop’s tables filled up early Friday afternoon. “I think it’s probably going to pick up this evening.”

Residential College in the Arts and Humanities senior Emily Panci said she typically stops by Wanderer’s Tea House when in the area regardless of the discounts being offered.

Panci was drinking tea as she sat at a table in the shop, but said she might consider making another purchase later.

“It’s one of my favorite study spots,” she said. “This is one of the places I support.”

At The Record Lounge, 111 Division St., business was similar to a typical Friday, store owner Heather Frarey said.

The record store offered customers a 10 percent discount on purchases of more than $10 and a 20 percent discount on purchases of more than $20.

Frarey said she wasn’t sure what to expect during the day, but customers came in to sell and buy vinyl records and other products from the shop at a fairly consistent pace.

“It’s not been banging down the doors or anything,” she said. “(But), it’s been steadier than normal.”