These Wilmington businesses have been Christmas mainstays for decades

By now you've seen all sorts of sales for the holiday season. These days, most of those are online from your favorite store or scrolling through Amazon.

When it comes to print, there's still plenty of holiday advertising. And before the internet, local stores plastered deals on nearly every newspaper page to try and draw in shoppers.

It's possible these advertisements from years ago in the StarNews made a difference (insert humble brag here), since they include stores and shopping centers still open here.

Hanover Center, 1988

Most stores at Hanover Center in 1988 aren't around today. A look at this ad shows only J. Michael's Philly Deli as the survivor, which opened in 1979.

That hasn't stopped the longtime shopping complex from having all sorts of places to patronize. To better draw in people during the holidays, it promoted a visit from Santa Claus in 1988.

Redix, 2004

This Causeway Drive mainstay of Wrightsville Beach has been a favorite for local shoppers for decades. There's a little bit of everything for Christmas and throughout the year. This 2004 ad gives a sample. Perhaps the biggest gift is providing free parking at Wrightsville Beach (if you're using it as a store customer, of course).

Reeds Jewelers, 1949

Three years after its founding in Wilmington, Reeds Jewelers (then known as Reed's Jewelers) was still finding a name in the Port City through its Front Street store. It's since grown into one of the country's largest jewelry chains.

In this 1949 ad, you could layaway a fancy pen until Christmas for $1 and buy it for $5.

Reeds has two Port City locations: Independence Mall and Mayfaire Town Center.

Independence Mall, 1987

Much like its shopping center neighbor across Oleander Drive, Independence Mall has seen plenty of store come and go since it opened in 1979.

To bring in more shoppers, the mall was extending hours in 1987, including being open until 8 p.m. on a Sunday in December.

Hughes Bros., 1956

This Wilmington service and tire shop has been around for more than 100 years. In the 1950s, however, you could find more than tires at Hughes Brothers as evident by this Dec. 7, 1956 advertisement.

Fred's Beds, 1999

This business gets its share of TV commercials where no one -- and it means no one -- knows beds like Fred's.

An advertisement from 1999 shows its selections of beds for the family just in time for the holidays. The business is in Scotts Hill on U.S. 17.

Tinga Nursery, 1955

It's the OG of plant businesses in New Hanover County and still going strong on Castle Hayne Road.

In this ad from 1955, Tinga Nursery was promoting the environment in asking people to reuse Christmas trees and plants.

Kingoff's Jewelers, 1984

For more than 100 years, Kingoff's Jewelers has been a stop for many in Wilmington. For nearly half of that time, it's brought back a replica of history.

This 1984 ad promotes the Wilmington Cup. It's a nod to Cape Fear history in pewter: A local silversmith made the first such cup in the 1800s.

Replicas were sold in 1984 for $19.50. You can buy one today for $58.

Cotton Exchange, 1979

This North Front Street institution remains a shining example of how to preserve a row of historic buildings to give them a second life.

That vision came to fruition in 1976, and three years later The Cotton Exchange was giving people "34 ways to say Merry Christmas" as it had 34 stores for holiday shopping.

Perry's Emporium, 1991

Noticing a trend? Jewlery stores have made their mark in Wilmington and Perry's Emporium is no different.

Here it samples a few of its "many wonderful Christmas gift ideas" in this 1991 ad. Originally at Independence Mall, it's now at the corner of Independence and Shipyard boulevards and has a location in Shallotte.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Christmas shopping at these Wilmington, NC businesses