SALISBURY — As the first day of Krazy Klearance and Restaurant Week came to a close Wednesday, local businesses said they’ve seen an uptick in patrons and excitement in the downtown area.

The promotion, facilitated through Downtown Salisbury Inc., is a first-of-its-kind event for downtown Salisbury. Krazy Klearance is an annual downtown sale, but this was the first year for Restaurant Week. The combination promotion will continue through Saturday.

After spending $25 or more at participating stores, many of which have discounts on merchandise, patrons will receive a 10% discount off food (with exclusions) at participating restaurants. This makes it different from past Krazy Klearance promotions.

Restaurant Week brings the “funk” back to Krazy Klearance, said Latoya Price, marketing and events coordinator for Downtown Salisbury Inc.

The clearance is an opportunity to see Salisbury and the interesting shops downtown, said Krazy Klearance shoppers Al and Romona Carver, who came from Thomasville to check out downtown Salisbury.

Phyllis Little, who has been a patron of Krazy Klearance for as long as she can remember, said she comes out to support the local community and to visit downtown shops that she would not usually visit.

The event is also a way to get a jump-start on Christmas shopping, Little said.

Katelin Rice said she enjoys the event, in particular the visibility it brings to downtown shops.

Each store had varying success on the first day, but most merchants said it has been great to see people downtown.

Pam Hylton Coffield, owner of the Stitchin’ Post at 104 S. Main St., said her store has been participating in Krazy Klearance since 1976. It is an exciting four days, Coffield said.

Her store is offering deals up to 75% off select items like many of downtown boutiques, she said.

Krazy Klearance is a way to sell inventory that people may not normally buy, said Eric Phillips, owner of Skinny Wheels Bike Shop, at 111 W. Innes St. Phillips said the promotion brings new people downtown.

Hive, a store showcasing local craftspeople at 126 E. Innes St., saw more business than usual on Wednesday, said Olivia Lorenz, who works there. Krazy Klearance is great for small businesses, Lorenz said.

“If every day is like today, it’d be great,” said Justin Wells, owner of Fullers Market, a food market at 112 S. Main St.

It is a “way for everyone to work together without stepping on each other’s toes,” Wells said. And getting more people downtown equates to more business, he added.

Wells said he has been participating as long as his store has been open and even remembers coming to Krazy Klearances as a kid.

Evelyn Medina, owner of Mean Mug coffeeshop at 110 N. Main St., said that while she did not have anyone use the 10% discount, she still was very busy for a Wednesday.

Downtown events like this translate into long-term growth for local businesses, Medina said, and it’s an opportunity for people from all over to see Salisbury’s “vibrant downtown.”

Linda Dukelow, who owns Textile Products at 121 N. Main St., said she didn’t have too many people in her store Wednesday, but she is hoping for more as the weekend rolls in.

Abigail’s, a cupcake shop at 113 N. Main St., is expecting to see more people on the weekend to take advantage of the 10% discount for restaurants, said Abigail Young, who operates the store.

Other stores and restaurants participating include:

• Thread Shed, 133 S. Main St.

• Sweet Country Style, 105 W. Innes St.

• K’Dees Jewelry, 112 E. Innes St.

• Simply Good Natural Foods, 128 E. Innes St.

• Salisbury Emporium, 230 E. Kerr St.

• The Backcountry Peddler, 123 N. Main St.

• Kitchen Store, located 106 N. Main St.

• The Lettered Lily, 113 W. Fisher St.

• Priscilla Clark Designs, 119 W. Innes St.

• Lora Belle Baby, 221 S. Main St.

• Critters, 125 S. Main St.

• Shuckin’ Shack, 118 N. Main St.

• Bangkok, 131 E. Innes St.

• Santos, 123 E. Fisher St.

• Italian Grill, 121 E. Innes St.

• La Cava, 329 S. Church St.

• Salty Caper, 115 S. Lee St.

• Food Truck at New Sarum, 109 N. Lee St.

• City Tavern, 113 E. Fisher St.

• Spanky’s, 101 N. Main St.

• Morgan Ridge, 421 N. Lee St.

• Caniche, 200 S. Main St.

• 3 Jem’s boutique at 102 S. Main St.

• Southern Sass, 209 S. Main St.

• Scoop’s, an ice cream shop at 205 S. Main St.

Contact reporter Samuel Motley at 704-797-4264.