By Nicole Falco
The mad rush started as early as 6 a.m. and continued steadily throughout the day. "Sale" signs were posted everywhere throughout the mall as shoppers hoped to cash in on savings.
"No matter what happens in the world people are still going to buy for their kids," said Steve Murphy, manager of Kay Bee.
On Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, Kay Bee offered a special "Holiday Barbie" to the first 250 shoppers to spend more than $100. A feat easily accomplished according to Murphy. In fact, Kay Bee's 1,400 stores throughout the nation had already earned 95 percent of the business they earned on Black Friday in 2000 and it was only 2 p.m.
While Murphy admitted there may be some concern over holiday spending this year, he doesn't predict the concern will stop parents from buying for their children. This year's hot sellers, according to Murphy, include "X-box," "Girl Bot," and "Dance Diva."
Elizabeth Guzman, a Valley Stream resident, said she would be doing just as much as she always has for her children this Christmas. Except for buying for her children, Guzman said she would be spending more conservatively this season.
"A lot of people are trying to celebrate as always," Guzman said. Then her sister, Mabel Santana, added, "[but] people are trying to think of more important things."
Still, nothing could have been more important to Guzman's son, Ruben, 8, than getting a hug from Santa Claus. Santa was strolling around Green Acres while on a break from his picture-taking duties. Ruben just had to have a hug from Santa. Ruben assured Santa he had, indeed, been good all year.
If the number of parents with children waiting on line to take a picture with Santa was any indication, this season is in full swing. Santa began working at 9:00 a.m. and by 2:00 p.m. he had his picture snapped with almost 50 youngsters including one temperamental infant, James. James was not quite ready for Santa, but Stacey Holloway, one of Santa's helpers, and Mr. Claus himself will do what they have to do to make a child smile.
"Santa will get on the floor and roll around with these kids to get them to take a picture," Holloway said.
Not everyone has as much trouble warming up to Santa and the holidays as James does. Shalonda Walker of Queens Village worked through Thanksgiving night and headed straight for Green Acres Mall. Walker was there with her mom and sister at 7:30 a.m. By 2 p.m. she was not only done for the day, but also for the season.
"I always come out on Black Friday," Walker said as she stood between two carts filled to the brim with clothes, shoes and linens. While Walker said she thought people were not shopping as they had, she noticed the long lines outside Kay Bee and said, "The kids will still be getting their toys."
Kim Powers of Valley Stream took a lunch break from shopping at Green Acres with her friend, Nicole Santeramo. The two were spotted on Rockaway Avenue after a morning of shopping that began at 8 a.m. "It still feels like the holidays, yet somewhat subdued. It feels like ready or not here it comes...there's no choice about it," Powers said.
Although she said she hadn't given much thought to her holiday spending this year, Powers said she would still do what she always has for her children.
Santeramo added, "I'll probably be doing more than ever."
That's good news for Morris Variety Store owner, Jack Cazes, who said, "I think [shoppers] want to be in the holiday spirit, but I don't know if they are or not. I think they are trying to be."
Cazes passed by Green Acres on the way to his Rockaway Avenue store and noticed the packed parking lot. While Black Friday is often touted as the biggest shopping day of the year, Cazes said his busiest day is usually the Saturday before Christmas.
However, Cazes wondered if Americans were ready to let themselves have fun yet.
"I get the feeling people are feeling funny even sending cards this year," Cazes said.
On a national scale, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Paul O'Neill said Black Friday saw a four percent increase in sales over last year - a good sign.
