With two weeks of Christmas shopping remaining, several Lampasas retailers report steady sales and, in some cases, improvements compared to last year.

At My Girls, revenues for the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving were equal to or ahead of last year’s amounts, owner Todd Briggs said.

“It’s been consistent since then,” Briggs said.

The gifts, clothing and antiques store offers special promotions each year after Thanksgiving to encourage area residents to shop locally, Briggs said.

My Girls benefits from Lampasas’ central location, he said, as several customers from across the state meet in Lampasas when traveling long distances to see family or friends.

“We’re a good halfway point for many of our visitors,” Briggs said. “We’re getting a lot of repeat visitors.”

Demand for women’s clothing has been strong, the retailer said, and sales of women’s jewelry have been “fantastic,” Briggs added.

“We were almost out of jewelry, and we had to go to Dallas yesterday to get some more,” he said on Tuesday.

Business has been “brisk” -- and better than last year -- at Rutland’s Fashion & Western Wear, owner Jim Rutland said.

“I think people are feeling a little better about the economy,” he said.

Many customers choose women’s jewelry and necklaces at the downtown store, he said. Along with men’s Western sport coats, Carhartt outerwear and gloves also have been popular items recently.

“This cold weather has really helped,” Rutland said.

Like Briggs, Rutland said his business has benefitted from visitors to Lampasas.

“We’re getting quite a few people stopping in on their way to San Antonio who are pleasantly surprised that we have such a nice downtown with our restaurants and stores,” Rutland said.

Retail activity has been near or slightly better than last year’s levels in other parts of Lampasas, as well.

Wal-Mart recorded fairly good sales in Lampasas the day after Thanksgiving, store manager Louise Beam said. Since then, however, revenues have decreased slightly compared to the same point last year, she said.

“I think there are a lot of people who are unemployed still or are worried,” she said. “They’re waiting until the first of the year.”

Wal-Mart’s electronics department and photography lab have experienced some of the best sales in recent weeks, Mrs. Beam said.

MP3 players, Nintendo Wii video game systems, iPods and Play Station video game equipment have been popular items. Guitar Hero electronic games and the Tony Hawk Wii skateboard game also attract many buyers, Mrs. Beam said.

“So many people buy electronics for their kids now instead of toys,” the Wal-Mart manager said.

L&M Ranchwear has served a steady stream of customers since Thanksgiving, said co-owner Linda Miller.

“It’s been good,” Mrs. Miller said. “It’s picking up every day, it seems like.”

Boots, especially square-toed pairs, are selling well, and Mrs. Miller said many customers also have bought work shirts and other outdoor apparel.

“People are buying practical gifts, too,” she said.