And They're Off ! Shoppers Hit Stores for Holidays

By Teresa Rochester

Nov. 23 -- The official start of the holiday shopping season brought healthy business to Santa Monica's shopping districts Friday -- from the crowded Promenade to swank Montana Avenue to funky Main Street.

On the Third Street Promenade shoppers filled the street, lugging shopping bags, stopping to watch the street entertainers and grabbing refreshments at Promenade eateries.

Businesses said sales were in line with last year's totals despite predictions of a dismal sales season in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. And shoppers said they were not spending their money any differently this year.

"I don't have a budget," laughed one woman standing outside of Max Clothing Store with her friend.

At Midnight Special Bookstore, holiday shoppers leafed through books and searched for titles. Friday marked the first day the store had been open in four days due to repairs and Thanksgiving, but Assistant Manager Jason Haldeman said business was strong.

"It's been busy, which is good," said Haldeman. "It's better than last year, for me personally it seems better than last year, and it will be pretty busy tonight. I haven't seen too many regular faces today. I think it's more gift buying."

Across the street and down the block, Mary Cancilla sat on a curb near the police substation next to her best friend. The two were surrounded by orange plastic shopping bags from Puzzle Zoo. They had been shopping for close to six hours in what has become their day-after-Thanksgiving tradition.

"I'm half way done. I've spent more than half my money," said Cancilla, adding that the crowds weren't too bad. "It isn't as bad as it seems. We didn't need to stand in any long lines. The sales people seemed a little frazzled."

Shoppers stopped and stared at the fanciful display based on the upcoming movie version of the book Lord of the Rings in the windows of Puzzle Zoo toy store. But more people were inside the shop looking for prospective gifts.

Owner Jay Demircift said it's too early to tell how strong sales will be this year. He noted that a lot of people have waited to start their shopping. Demircift based his toy orders on last year's sales, and he is hopeful that receipts will match those numbers.

"In the past two weeks we've seen a pick up in business," Demircift said. "I've anticipated it being just like last year."

Next door at Noteworthy, store manager Jennine Philippon agreed that shoppers got a late start and that sales seemed to be inching toward last year's showing.

"It's seems to be going pretty well," she said. "It's pretty close [to last year]. I don't think it's quiet there. People are spending a little less."

So far the most popular items at Noteworthy are the personal body care items, like soaps and bubble bath.

In the food court at Santa Monica Place there were lines at some of the restaurants as shoppers took a break. Carrying multiple bags in both hands, Claire Adeyemi, a British Airways employee, was in town for the day and on her way back to the airport.

"I've done very, very well," laughed Adeyemi.

Also toting a number of shopping bags was Vicki Warren, who was looking in the window of Max clothing store with her friend.

"I'm almost done," said Warren. "I was here really early. At around 11 a.m. it picked up."

"We've done some damage," added her friend.

As the sun began to set small groups of people made their way down Montana Avenue, some carrying shopping bags. At the eclectic gift store Soho things were quiet, but owner Kelly Gibbels said she had been busy most of the day with a corporate client that always places an order the day after Thanksgiving.

"It's better than I expected," Gibbels said. "I've been busy. I don't know how to predict it."

Next door at My New Friends, a store specializing in baby clothes and accessories, owner Marcia Sauters said that most of her business was for non-holiday baby goods. Sauters expected most people to hit larger malls on Friday and then in upcoming days visit smaller shopping areas.

"Business is fine but it's not Christmas stuff. It's regular baby and birthday stuff," she said adding that most of her holiday orders are for personalized gifts. "They'll have to order it soon."

The scene along Montana Avenue was mirrored across town on Main Street, where shoppers strolled into boutiques to get a head start on their holiday gift buying.

"It's picking up a little bit," said Page Ball, who works at Arts & Letters, which specializes in stationary, books and invitations. "We're not getting a lot of visitors. It's mostly steady customers."

Down the block at Bey's Garden customers were browsing, smelling the soaps and lotions.

"People have started coming in and buying a lot of presents for mom," said Emily Ennis, who works at Bey's Garden, a day spa, which specializes in aromatherapy. "People are spending a lot more money in one fell swoop, but there are less people. It's still too early to tell."

Jorge Casuso contributed to this report.