An effort has been launched by the Downtown Business Association to get more downtown businesses to open on Sundays to cater not only to locals, but tourists who come to town for the Mayberry experience.

Paul Hodges, coordinator for the DBA, said that while more downtown business are open that in years past, many of those who come to the area to see Mayberry attractions are disappointed to see stores closed on Sundays.

“We are asking more businesses to stay open. Tourism is a huge part of the success of downtown Mount Airy. A lot of tourists are out on Sundays and are looking for things to do. We have had complaints from them that there are not enough things open on Sunday,” said Hodges.

Hodges said he understands that everyone needs a day off.

“The slow day varies from week to week, so I know it’s a hard decision for some people to open on Sundays,” said Hodges.

Right now, the Mount Airy Visitor’s Center lists 18 businesses that are open on Sunday. The Visitor’s Center itself is open on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

Hodges said locals also like to shop downtown and have expressed an interest in having more businesses open on Sunday.

“The wise locals realize anything they want or need can be found downtown and it’s a very pleasant atmosphere to shop and eat and stroll around. So for both the locals and the tourists we think it’s wise for downtown Mount Airy to be more open on Sunday afternoon particularly,” Hodges said.

Jessica Icenhour, director of tourism and marketing with the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center, said that while the number of stores open downtown on Sundays has increased over the past few years, she hopes more stores will consider opening up on Sunday.

“We get so many visitors that arrive on Sunday, because a visitor does travel on the weekend. They arrive and are somewhat disappointed by what is open on Sunday,” said Icenhour.

She said hundreds of visitors come through the center each weekend.

“What they will find is that things are closed — a lot of the Mayberry attractions are closed. We try to refer them to the stores that are open downtown and the wineries, all of them in the region are open on Sundays. We try to get them to stay overnight and a lot of them will do that because they came here to see that Mayberry experience, but a lot of them will say they will have to plan that for their next visit,” Icenhour said.

Mary Dowell, wife of long-time Snappy Lunch owner Charles Dowell, said that she has no plans to stay open on Sunday.

“Six days a week is enough for me and I don’t need to work on Sunday,” said Dowell.

Mike Cockerham, owner of Squad Car Tours LLC, said he thinks it is a great idea for businesses to stay open on Sunday. He said next year he will definitely look into running on Sunday.

Hodges said the businesses that are opening on Sunday are finding it to be a profitable decision. He said any businesses that decides to open on Sunday should contact him at 786-4511, and the Mount Airy Visitor’s Center, 786-6116, so they can be added to the list. That information can then be relayed onto visitors.

Downtown stores

open on Sundays

(according to the chamber of commerce)

n Mayberry Consignments 12 to 5 p.m.

n Main Oak Emporium 1 to 5 p.m.

n Bear Creek Gifts 10 to 3 p.m.

n Old North State Winery 12 to 6 p.m.

n Uptown Gallery in Robert Smith House 1 to 4 p.m.

n Meadows of Dan Co. 12 to 5 p.m.

n Specialty Gifts opens at 12 p.m., closing time varies

n Mayberry on Main 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

n Pages 1 to 5 p.m.

n Mayberry Primitives 1 to 5 p.m.

n Mayberry Country 10 to 5 p.m.

n Mayberry Five & Dime 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

n Fancy Gap Outfitters 12 to 5 p.m.

n Opie’s Candy Store 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

n Something Different on Main 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

n Andy Griffith Museum, Music Heritage Hall and Siamese Twins Exhibit 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

n Downtown Cinema: $3 Movies at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

n Blue Bird Diner 12 to 4 or 5 p.m.