The past struggles to turn a profit made this holiday season especially gratifying for the owners of Ken Sanders Rare Books in Salt Lake City.

"Both November and December set new monthly records for us," said Ken Sanders of his 4,000-square-foot shop at 268 S. 200 East.

While many big-box and national chain stores reported mediocre or even poor sales over the holiday season, many of Utah's locally owned businesses reported brisk, even record-shattering results.

Gavin Noyes, executive director of Buy Local First, a group that encourages Utahns to buy from small enterprises based in the state, said he was surprised at the record-setting results he found during his informal survey of holiday sales levels in recent weeks. While his organization works to increase the visibility of locally owned businesses, it is limited by the cost of advertising.

Noyes thinks the strong showing by small Utah companies over the holiday season stems from the fact that more people are consciously patronizing small Utah-based retailers in search of better customer service. He said others may simply want to show their support for small community-based businesses.

The state's booming economy - with its high job growth, low unemployment and marked personal income gains - is undoubtedly another factor. Many locally owned enterprises offer products and services that are more "luxury" goods than absolute necessities. While during a recession sales at small shops may suffer as people become more worried about prices, during boom times their sales may skyrocket.

Massages certainly fall into that category. Stephanie Colemere, a licensed massage therapist who owns her own company, had record sales not only of gift certificates, which usually sell well during the holidays, but for massages, too.

Books are another example, said Sanders said.

"People don't need to buy books," he said. "How well we did has to be tied into the strong economy on some level. You're going to pay the rent, buy the food and other necessities before you buy luxuries like books."

Like Sanders, Richard Wirick, who owns Oxford Shoes in downtown Salt Lake City, had a record holiday season.

In fact, Wirick said his December's sales were the highest ever in his store's history. And that's saying a lot. Wirick has been in the business of selling higher-end men's shoes for 56 years, most recently at 65 W. 100 South next to the now-defunct Crossroads Plaza in downtown Salt Lake City.

Like Sanders, Wirick believes his strong sales stem from a mix of a good economy and a desire by many people to support locally owned businesses.

"We are pushing the 'Buy Local' idea so much you would have to think that had to have played a big role in how well I did during the holiday season," he said. "But there are probably other reasons, too. I just wish I knew why."

Beverly Hill, owner of Beverly Hill's Bakery in the Sugar House area of Salt Lake City, said her first holiday season exceeded her expectations as well.

Hill, who opened in February of last year, believes some of her strong holiday season has to do with the desire of a growing number of people to support businesses like hers.

"It seems like people are hungry for local businesses," Hill said. "I definitely get that feeling every day."

What is Buy Local First?

*A nonprofit group that promotes locally owned independent businesses and has about 750 members throughout the state.

* The group stages "Buy Local First Week" in November, "Independents' Week" in July, and other initiatives during the year to raise the profile of Utah-based enterprises. For more information: 801-828-0676 or www.localfirst.org.