By Cindy J. Roth
"Business has improved from last week, but there is still a lot of browsing and a little more discrimination in purchases," said Dear Little Dollies owner Louis Camilleri.
The doll shop and gallery that boasts more than 6,000 collectible, art, one-of-a-kind, play and plush dolls, came to Bedford Avenue six years ago. Camilleri said that, as the store has put out more advertisements, it has received more phone calls, but even the shop's regular clients are reluctant with doll purchases, which can range from $10 to $15,000.
"Retail stores have to work hard, more than ever before," Camilleri said.
Todd Mouzakes of Pettit Florist on Pettit Avenue said the store has seen withering sales since before Thanksgiving.
"Thanksgiving was way down," said Mouzakes. "It's hard to tell now with Christmas because it is too early, but we've ordered less to prepare. This week, things have picked up, but flowers are a last-minute thing."
One trend the storeowner is seeing is that the regular shoppers are hesitating with purchases, coming into the store but spending less. The store's many wreaths are not selling at all, simply because it has been too hot, Mouzakes said. But he believes that, if there were one day of snow, the wreaths would sell out.
Headquarters Hobbies and Games in Bellmore Village is also experiencing sluggish returns. Even with the hot Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings items on the shelves, part store owner Brian Obyrne said fewer people are coming in, and he is seeing a big decline from last year.
While some merchants are seeing slow sales, two Bedford Avenue businesses seeing at least standard seasonal sales. Illuminessence Candles and Gifts and Angels in My Pocket owners say business is going well, and they attribute it to their products, which provide a bit of therapy for the soul.
"I think people are looking for peace and tranquillity, and we sell angels," said Angels in My Pocket owner Bill Hill. "Since the World Trade Center, people have been seeking us out for the solace and peace that comes with angels."
Hill said he has seen people of a variety of faiths come into the store, and there is not one item that is selling more than any other. It can be anything in the store that speaks to someone, Hill said. With a wide variety of angel items, from slot-machine angel pens, pins, T-shirts to stuffed animals, there is something in the store that is bound to soothe most anyone's soul.
Diane Severino, owner of Illuminessence Candles and Gifts, said her store too has experienced "fairly decent business." The shop sells an extensive variety of scented candles, candle holders and unique conversation pieces.
"Candles make people feel good, so they buy different scents," she said.
Since Sept. 11, Severino said she believes more people are looking to shop locally. Reasons to stay away from the malls are indeed many -- fear of terrorism in large enclosures, bustling crowds of shoppers or long lines, to name a few.
Still, many shoppers said the malls' selection is tough to beat. Bellmore merchants are certainly hoping the traditional, downtown shopping experience they offer will.
