Archive: Around Town

"The 2006 holiday season is on track for a relatively healthy and prosperous performance," says a report from the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).  "Despite the worry that the consumer is 'tapped out,' the evidence seems more -- not less -- encouraging that consumer cash flow is improving."  

Pyramid Mall of Ithaca Marketing Director Linn Redder says that while the pattern of shopping is different this year, that prediction should prove true in Ithaca over the course of the holiday season.  "Black Friday went very, very well for some, and for others it was slow," she says.  "But the ICSC saw the trend that the traffic was going to be high.  That sales would be so-so for some.  The trend was going to be that people would come out on Black Friday to take a look at what they want to buy.  I'm pleased with Black Friday."

Redder says that many store managers saw customers taking notes on what they wanted to buy, and the expectation is that as the holidays draw closer they will return to make their purchases.  The hot items this year are electronics, and indeed, the line stretched from Best Buy along the side of the mall toward Sears at 2:30 Friday morning as customers waited to get great deals on computers and other featured electronic items when the store opened at 5.

Joanne Lamoureux owns the UPS Store on the Ithaca COmmons and has brought a store to the mall for the holidays

ICSC says that the hottest items are expected to be iPods and TMX Tickle Me Elmo.  Other predicted hot items  include Princess Genevieve Barbie, iPod accessories, cell phones with MP3 playing capability, downloadable ringtones, Bluetooth wireless accessories, Kid Tough Digital Cameras, Bratz Forever Diamonds and more.  In jewelry long necklaces and sterling silver are in.  And black clothing, skinny jeans, tunic shirts and sweaters, wrap-style dresses, belts, cashmere, sweaters over shirts, round toed shoes, and wedge heels are in.

Blankets and throws for lounging, hotel-collection luxury items and gift cards are also expected to be big sellers this year.  "Our Pyramid Mall gift card is the perfect gift," Redder says.  "A lot of people don't know what to get as gifts.  This way the person you give the gift card to gets multiple gifts.  They think of you.  It's good almost everywhere in the mall."

Lansing's Claes Nyberg is closing his Night & Day store that has been on the Ithaca Commons for years.  But he is finishing up with two months at the mall for the holiday season

The ICSC report says, "To be sure, the retail landscape is battered by worry -- but retailers (and economists alike) seem to do that in good times and in bad times."  That was born out by some managers at Pyramid Ithaca, but Redder says she thinks traffic and sales will pick up as the shopping season progresses.  The mall is bringing in performers to encourage more shoppers to come, and has begun a five year plan to redo the mall's holiday decorations.  

"We have a new Santa chair and a lot of new decorations throughout the mall this year," Redder says.  "And each year we're going to add to it.  We're going to go with the nutcracker theme, so we can be very diverse and international."  Santa himself says the chair makes more room for parents of children too shy to sit on his lap by themselves.  "I love it," he says.  "This is my second year here and I wouldn't come back if I didn't enjoy it."

Dustin and Tammi Richards and Santa model Santa's new chair, which is much bigger this year to make more room for those who were naughty and nice this year

Tammi Richards, who owns Lasting Impressions Photography in Lansing, is photographing kids with Santa this year with the help of her husband, Dustin.  Starting this week she says they'll be open most times between 11 am and 7 pm each day.  "I'm loving it," she says.  "I love watching the children's' faces as they come up and see Santa.  That's the best part."

There are several new holiday stores as well this year.  Claes Nyberg of Lansing closed his Night & Day store on the Ithaca Commons after many years, but moved it to the mall for the two holiday sales months.  Shangri-la and the UPS Store also opened holiday stores at the mall to augment their Commons store business.  Many kiosks dot the mall floor, selling jewelry, blankets and just about anything imaginable.

Diaspora Gallery features African American art.

Redder says the merchants with these temporary storefronts have been very creative for the holiday season.  "We have Diaspora Gallery, which is all the African American art," she says.  "Her stuff is just beautiful.  She took a store that just had plain white paint and she turned it into something absolutely beautiful.  I'm very excited about it."

The mall started extended hours December 11, Monday through Saturday from 9 until 10 and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.  Then December 18 through December 23 they extend further from 8 am to 10 pm.  On Christmas Eve the mall will be open 8 am to 5 pm.  While the mall is closed on Christmas day, but Regal Cinema will be open.  After that regular hours go back into effect, except that on New Year's Eve day they will extend again from 10 am to 6 pm.

ICSC says that with one more day in this holiday season than last year sales should be $0.7 billion more.  And while sales have been good at Pyramid Ithaca depending on the kind of merchandise, Redder says she expects them to get better overall.  "The traffic has picked up and so far we're pleased," she says.  "For the most part I think the retailers are working out great.  A little bit of a slow start, but they're there now."

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