By Brenda Flanagan
Correspondent
The post-holiday shopping bonanza features a built-in bonus: many folks got this Friday off, and spent it at the mall — literally.
“We didn’t really spend much before, so now we come out to get some stuff,” said Jackie Durant. When asked if she was waiting for the big, big sales, she said, “Yes, we were waiting.”
“Well, I mean, the economy seems good here. Everybody’s been shopping. It’s always packed,” said Benny Vasquez.
Shoppers packed Jersey Gardens, chasing deep discounts — up to 70 percent — at this outlet mall with an international reputation for bargains. Some tourists actually bring an empty suitcase and a full wallet.
“There’s a limit because of the Customs, so I think around $600, something like that,” said Iklime Coskun.
The big splurge seemed right in tune with this week’s so-called “Santa Claus Rally” on Wall Street.
But even as the Dow achieved escape velocity and smashed records to close above 18,000, some felt left behind.
“That doesn’t affect me. That has no effect on my everyday life. They make their money, they go on about their business. I’m still stable. I keep my head above water. That’s all that matters,” said Louis Wright.
“Jersey’s slowly taking a turn for the worse, in my opinion. Me and my family just moved over to P.A.,” said Darryl Mathis.
New Jersey jobless rates do show improvement. November’s rate dropped two-tenths of a point, to 6.4 percent compared to October. But the national average is even lower — at 5.8 percent.
“The economy is changing. The way people do business is changing,” said Gordon Haas.
Haas heads the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce. He says Jersey Garden’s demonstrates there’s serious money to be made here, but the state’s in transition.
“It’s those middle jobs, the middle income jobs that are missing. We have jobs at both ends of the spectrum, but the middle income jobs are the ones that are tough to come by,” he said.
A fact not lost on shoppers here.
“People are losing their jobs. Not enough hours. Not everyone’s in that position to get bonuses at Christmastime. It’s rough out there, yeah, it’s hard. A lot of people are living check to check,” said Michelle Adair.
“It’s very hard and people are just like trying to save and push back and spend less so they can survive. It’s survival time,” said Claudette Brooks.
Still, a rising Dow often manages to lift most industries — including real estate prices and mortgage rates — even in Jersey.
“I’m in the mortgage industry so things are coming up, little by little. It’s improving. It’s improving,” said Humberto Morin.
“People are always saying that times are bad, that people aren’t out shopping. … You look in the parking lot, it’s packed,” said Alex Gonzalez.
The National Retail Federation expects a 4 percent bump in holiday sales. So while on Wall Street it was the best of times, on Main Street, it’s getting a little better. And in New Jersey — some analysts say — the middle class still faces an uphill struggle.