Retailers fought snow, cold and icy sidewalks to make a profit during the last weekend before Christmas, typically one of the busiest shopping times of the year.
While the snowstorm kept some shoppers home, many city retailers said traffic was steady over the weekend, albeit a little lighter than usual.
“Today is slow,” said David Tsang yesterday, looking around the trendy Young Designers’ Market in Nolita. Tsang, 58, sells knitted scarves and hats out of a booth. “You win some, you lose some.”
In SoHo, main shopping drag Broadway wasn’t as bustling as usual. Much of the sidewalk was still unshoveled and shoppers navigated snow piles make it into stores.
Sunday morning got off to a slow start at J&R electronic store, but business picked up by the afternoon as the streets became more passable.
Mayor Mike Bloomberg declared New York City “open for business” despite the snow, and urged shoppers to spend, spend, spend.
“The snow coming in later than forecast was a Godsend to stores,” said Bloomberg. “Some of them reported business off slightly late in the day [Saturday]. But they did get in more of the day than they normally would.”
