Caitlin Halterman, Coldwater, and her friend, Brittany George, Columbus, look for some after-Christmas bargains at Ace Hardware in Celina on Thursday. Local retailers report the Christmas shopping season was a little better than last year's.

Local merchants are experiencing a bit more holiday cheer this Christmas shopping season with sales slightly higher than 2012. Retailers say they are happy with the bump, especially since national forecasts called for flat or . . .