Pocono News Section

Presidents Day Shopping Review

Presidents Day Shopping Review - Monday, February 16, 2009 at 6:00PM EST

STROUD TOWNSHIP - Presidents Day Weekend is usually a big one for shopping but in this economy buying just for fun isn't always an option.
At the Stroud Mall, Eyewitness News found more people browsing than buying. "Actually it's depressing because we look around and see what we can't get," said Cheryl Cloke of East Stroudsburg.

Cloke was recently layed off. She visited the mall with her daughter Taylor. Taylor had some gift money to spend, she got her ears pierced. Mom didn't get anything. "We're probably just going to walk around a little bit then head home," aid Cloke.

She wasn't the only one who ignored the blaring sales signs. Even with up to 70% off many clerks sat around bored. "No one feels confident right now. Let's put it that way," said Bill Parkinson. He owns Rock N Willys.

The Stroud Mall also has four empty store fronts. A jeweler, a book store, a toy store and a clothing store have all recently moved out. The Stroud Mall isn't the only one with slow business and shuttered store fronts. Nationwide mall traffic has dropped about five percent in the past year. Parkinson remarked, "I would say it's at least five percent if not more."

He added that he has seen fewer people walking around the mall lately. But he's lucky because his t-shirts, pins, and hats don't cost too much. He explained, "They might buy something here where it's not too expensive but at least they get the gratification of saying 'oh well I feel good because I bought something new.'"

It seemed the biggest seller at the mall Monday was something that cost just $3.50. Girl scout cookies. Offering something sweet and small seemed to be the only way to turn those browsers into buyers.