And many happy returns …

Princeton merchants reflect on a blockbuster holiday shopping season

By: Marjorie Censer
   It may not have been a white Christmas, but downtown Princeton retailers said it was a green holiday season.
   Despite some national reports of a slower season than usual, comments from local store owners and managers suggest Princeton was an exception.
   Logan Fox, owner of Micawber Books on Nassau Street, said sales at the bookstore "took off" after Dec. 15.
   He said Princeton felt busier than usual — and revenue growth at his shop reflected that.
   "It was a good season for us," Mr. Fox said. "The streets in particular felt really lively in a way that they haven’t the last couple years."
   Chuck Simone, owner of Hulit’s Shoes on Nassau Street, agreed.
   "We were busier than last year," he said. "The whole month was pretty busy."
   Mr. Simone attributed his good season of sales to the snow at the beginning of December. Customers stocked up on boots, he explained. Additionally, he had more Ugg boots available — Hulit’s had run out of the popular brand last year.
   Mr. Fox said the New York City transit strike may have played a role in the strong sales — he said some shoppers who would have gone to Manhattan likely stayed in Princeton.
   Retailers also agreed that December was a steady month of sales — neither the beginning nor the end stuck out as particularly overwhelming. However, some acknowledged that there were still many shoppers finishing up on Dec. 23 and Dec. 24.
   Marisa Perini, co-owner of clothing boutique Honey West in Palmer Square, said her store stayed open late on Dec. 23 because customers kept popping in, saying they needed just one more thing. Sabrina Muce, manager at Bluemercury on Palmer Square, also said Dec. 23 was busy for the apothecary and spa store.
   Retailers said many customers were busy exchanging gifts or redeeming gift cards this week. Mr. Simone said many customers were still buying this week, noting that many said parking was difficult to find. Ms. Muce said many shoppers were still buying gifts because Hanukkah has not ended.
   Some customers were buying for themselves — store owners and managers said many people had family in town and were shopping with them.
   Kathleen Gittleman, owner of knitting and needlepoint store Pins and Needles on Chambers Street, said many visitors like to stop in to the store.
   "We’re generally quite busy after holidays," Ms. Gittleman explained.
   The only thing that might have made a better season, she added, was colder weather.
   "In general, we had a great winter season," she said.