By Howard Goldstein
The wayward economy, however, has stabilized more since that infamous day, although with fewer dollars to spend than in years gone by for many people.
The period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is typically the busiest time of year for many merchants. The gift-giving holidays, Hanukkah and Christmas, spark a buying frenzy whose intensity varies with economic times.
The Herald recently stopped off in the Bellmore's two largest retail districts, Bellmore Village and Merrick Road, to ask local merchants how business is faring this season.
"The economy on Long Island is still strong," asserted Gary Hudes, a Hempstead Town councilman and owner of Gennaro Jewelers in Bellmore.
Hudes said that local businesses have certain advantages over larger franchises, which may be taking hard hits across the country.
"The local advantage is that these merchants offer personal service not found in huge chain businesses, where people can wander the aisles indefinitely without getting helped. In addition, local merchants have a vested interest in having business succeed; it's their businesses, not something that some huge out-of-state corporation owns," he said.
Hudes also said that safety is less of a concern, as Bellmore businesses have not had the crime troubles that some of the larger malls experienced recently.
"Bellmorites have put a lot into their businesses, and Bellmore is still doing well," Hudes concluded.
Other merchants noted downward sales. Most Bellmore businesses are not failing, but many cited the sagging economy as a concern.
"Last year we had more customers," said a June Peters employee who preferred not to be named.
"People are less afraid of terrorist attacks than they were last year, but now they are worried because of the stock market and taxes," she said. "Still, people are Christmas shopping, and Bellmore Village is a lovely, safe place to have a shop."
She also noted that after Sept. 11, though people were scared, there was a tremendous spirit of giving in the aftermath, which has diminished a year alter.
Louis Camilleri, owner of Dear Little Dollies, said business could be better, but it isn't terrible either.
The doll shop is frequently at its busiest during this time of year.
"Business has been slower this year," Camilleri said, "but the year isn't over yet. Don't forget, it's a crazy time of year, so maybe customers haven't come out at full force yet. There is still time."
Camilleri noted that, while his store continues to make plenty of holiday sales, the volume is not up to what it was last year.
He believes the cause is the depressed economy and stock market. "Nobody's buying or selling stocks. People are just holding on to whatever they have," he said, "but things aren't too bad, and we still get enough business."
Other merchants were less optimistic, believing the situation is far worse than most Bellmorites will acknowledge.
Dave works at Games USA, a video game store on Merrick Road. Video game popularity has resurged in recent years as technology has caught up to consumer demands, but apparently, fewer people are buying videogames this Christmas. "The economy is in the trash can," said Dave. "People are in denial, because everyone thinks America is indestructible, but we have taken a big hit."
Still, many merchants remain hopeful, despite hard times. Said a confident Bill Hill, proprietor of Angels In My Pocket in Bellmore Village, "We [as a nation] will be OK. The greatest threat is fear. If we convince ourselves that the economy is going to spiral down, it will. If we have faith in God and in life, and continue to do, things will get better soon."
