By Carrie James
Things might not be so bad in East Meadow, but some local retailers have felt the same worry about the holiday season and have seen their concerns turn slowly into reality.
"It's been a little slower this year," said Marcia Krinick, owner of
Aquarius Cards & Stationers Inc., a local gift shop at 1918 Hempstead Tpke. "I think people are being more cautious and aren't buying the higher priced items. I'm hoping it will pick up in the last week before Christmas."
In particular, Krinick said customers are shying away from more expensive collectibles. She also worries about competition from discount and chain stores that can sell at cheaper prices.
For many East Meadow shops, including a local jewelry store that did not want to be identified, business has dropped 5 to 10 percent over last year's sales. Like Krinick at Aquarius Cards, however, merchants are hoping business will pick up in the final days before Christmas.
The biggest problem this season, business owners said, is that consumers are spending less and thus being more particular about what they buy.
One thing that Krinick and other retailers have tried this season is offering more sales and promotions.
Promotions have worked well for East Meadow Florist, said owner Chris Hackert.
"Actually sales are up a little this year," Hackert said. "We've
done more reaching out to the community this year, and it's helped."
By reaching out, Hackert refers to the many hours of community service that East Meadow Florist employees perform each month to help the local community. Also, they have donated flowers for such events as a Sept. 11 memorial at Nassau University Medical Center.
He added, though, that flowers always have a place during Thanksgiving, Chanukah and Christmas.
"I think flowers are always going to do well," he said. "We've got a lot of people calling us to do out-of-town deliveries and also out-of-towners calling us for local deliveries. They're convenient and personal."
Hackert said he also expects, and hopes, business to continue to pick up in the next few days, saying that today and Friday will be big sales days for him as people shop at the last minute.
Another store that has escaped the economic slowdown is Mona's Kids Clothes on Bellmore Avenue, which sells casual to formal clothing from infant to early teen. Sales personnel said their revenue has gone up about 15 percent over last year.
"It's way up over last year," said Shari Feldheim, salesperson. "We've been sitting here wracking our brains trying to figure out why we're up. Customer service, for one, and since Sept. 11 there's many people who want to avoid the mall and want to shop locally."
Co-worker Elaine Shaw added, "People want to make a human connection with a local face, not just some anybody in a mall."
There aren't more people who are coming into Mona's, but those who do are buying more this year, Shaw said. She attributes the spike to the shop's efforts to lower prices, meet customers' wants and needs, and provide a pleasant shopping experience.
Mona's staff points out, however, that things haven't been great for others at the shopping center where the store is located. At least one store has shut down this year and others have lost money.
"We anticipated lower sales too," Shaw said. "It's interesting that we're doing well. We're thrilled."
