BY MATT AUERBACH
Staff Writer
Now that the holiday season is officially under way, there’s a feeling of guarded optimism among Metuchen’s downtown merchants.
Some credit a stabilized economy for an upturn in business, while others said they see no effect at all. But overall, whether it was selling a made-to-order Christmas basket or a used copy of a Stephen King paperback, merchants predicted a successful holiday shopping season.
Frank Lotito, assistant manager of Marianna’s Gourmet Table on Main Street, was one of the most confident.
"Business is much better than it was last year," he said. "We started to do really well in the days leading up to Thanksgiving."
Lotito said he believes the local consumer is being influenced by events on a national scale.
"The economy’s turned around, so people can spend more," he said.
What’s the biggest order at the beginning of this holiday season?
"Christmas baskets," Lotito said. "The Christmas orders have started and orders for baskets are coming in all the time."
Maria Araneo, co-owner of Metuchen Travel on Main Street, also sees the difference a year can make.
"Up to Thanksgiving, business has been better than last year," she said. "Overall, it’s much better than a year ago."
However, the events of Sept. 11 are still affecting Araneo’s business.
"We’ve been getting a lot of last-minute bookings," she said. "That was rare before 9/11. We’ve also been booking more cruises than plane trips. People are still somewhat apprehensive about flying."
Over at 25 New Street, Ed Curtis is the general manager of the newly reopened Cornerstone Café.
He has a unique perspective on the holiday shopping season.
"We only recently reopened," he said. "I can’t compare how we’re doing this year to last year because we weren’t around last year."
While Curtis believes his business is unaffected by any turns the economy might take, he has seen a recent upturn in patronage.
"The night before Thanksgiving, the bar was packed," he said. "We’ve also been booking a lot of Christmas parties for businesses in the area."
Mike Campbell, manager of Pyramid Books on Main Street, is having a better year than last year, but remains ambivalent about the season.
"We’re doing a little better than last year, but things are still kind of slow," he said. "Our gift items are selling well. Hopefully, business will pick up as we get closer to Christmas."
People want to look good for the holiday parties they’ll be attending, which is good news for John Roberts, owner of the John Roberts hair Salon on Main Street.
"We got very busy during the two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving," he said. "Generally speaking, we’re where we were at the same time last year. The hair and beauty business does well no matter what the economic climate."