Holiday sales in Highland Park shops stay steady or increase as economy weakens
Highland Park, NJ —Despite the doom and gloom surrounding retail businesses nationwide, the borough’s downtown businesses did not see a dip in holiday sales. Instead, revenues for local merchants have been holding steady or increasing compared to previous years.
Sheryl Magaziner of Centerpiece, a gift store on Main Street, said sales were up more than 10 percent over last year’s holiday season, despite the dire sales predictions being made by financial pundits.
“It’s not like we haven’t had to make some adjustments because of the economy, but it’s not as bad as they make it seem when you turn on the news,” Magaziner said.
Her sales on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving when the holiday season shopping traditionally begins, were among the best she’s had since she opened the store in 2003, and they’ve remained steady.
“Retail is not dead, not in Highland Park. Happily, people are supporting us,” she said.
A personal connection, both as merchant and customer and as fellow Highland Park resident may be one of the things that made downtown Highland Park different this holiday season.
Another reason could be the one-of-a-kind merchandise that several Main Street stores offer their clientele.
