By Sarah Hallberg
Sharon Bailenson, Rockville Racquet Club's store manager, said people are not buying as much. However, sales of items in red, white and blue are up.
Anything patriotic sells, Bailenson said. But our gross sales are down.
One store owner said if sales don't pick up, she will have to pack up. She was one of the few shopkeepers voicing serious concern about the recession's impact.
Sales may be down in some RVC stores because more and more people are beginning to think of their homes as a favorite place to shop.
Shalon Messilaty of Rockville Centre said his wife did most of her shopping on the Internet.
Others have turned to catalogs. Avoiding crowds and tired feet are just some reasons people like Messilaty gave for choosing to stay home.
Rockville Centre offers a variety of specialty stores that can provide unique gifts for friends and family, said Karen Resnick, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and account exec for the Rockville Centre Herald. By shopping locally, residents can avoid the crowds and long lines at the mall and can avoid the expense and time of going into the city. Many of the local businesses have grown up with you and your family and can give shoppers the personal attention and service they deserve. In this season of giving, it would be nice to give back to the merchants and restaurants who give to community groups and organizations throughout the year..
RVC resident Rosa Socorro still thinks shopping in stores is the best way to find the perfect gift. But admits that she is still a little shook up over this fall's terrorist attacks. This year, she chose to leave her children at home so that she could get what she needed quickly and get back home.
Some local shops have even found that their business has improved due to people's fears of going to the city and malls.
Overall, people are shopping locally rather than going to places like the city to buy, said Debrah Franzese, owner of House of Style. She said that while people are definitely watching their finances, business is great.
Shopper and RVC resident Joy Aliano, who was getting some holiday shopping done at The Crown Shop, said she has definitely been staying closer to home.
Business may not be up at The Crown Shop, a Hallmark store on Sunrise Highway, but Store Manager Danielle Willis said it isn't down either. From what I understand, the shop has been doing well, Willis said. Compared to December of last year, sales are the same.
If the effects aren't seen in the cash register, they are seen in the customers.
People are in a very strange state, said Perry Meltzer, owner of Rockville Camera. They are a bit melancholy.
Susan Alvy, manager of Rockville Racquet Club, sees the change in attitude as well.
People are playing like crazy here at the club because it is an outlet for them, Alvy said. But people are not as enthusiastic and they are a little hesitant.
Franzese said people don't seem to be celebrating as much and said sales on her party dresses are down.
But shop owners say they are aware of the need to be sympathetic in light of everything residents of the village have had to endure this year.
People lost a lot of family here, Meltzer said. We understand that, and we are here for our customers.
