Labor Day a boon for local businesses
For many, Labor Day marks a much welcome vacation day. But for a growing number of retailers, it’s a boon that rivals Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Just ask local shoppers:
“Everything is on sale or half off,” said Katie Lord, who’s visiting from Upland, Calif.
“Practically every store we’re going in has good deals,” said Anne McGibbons of Rancho Mirage.
“Spending money that we don’t have here,” admitted Patty Villalobos of La Quinta.
Westfield Mall in Palm Desert was buzzing with bargain hunters this Labor Day weekend, while Jessup Auto Plaza in Cathedral City saw car sales skyrocket.
“We’ve sold more in just these four days than we did the prior Labor Day weekend and the weekend before that,” said sales manager Jazz Janda.
At the Gardens on El Paseo, Labor Day marked opening day for XCVI, a women’s fashion store and art studio making its debut in the desert.
“We’re hoping that since it’s a day off people will come and walk, they’ll see our clothes and they’ll see something they’ll enjoy,” said store manager Martha Olivas.
Olivas says the store hopes to attract local designers and provide them an outlet to sell their work, including jewelry, handbags and other accessories.
“That’s our art aspect, trying to bring consignment, trying to bring local artists into our store,” Olivas said.
The busier the holiday, the more people who must labor on this Labor Day weekend. But having the means to provide for their families, makes Labor Day just another busy Monday that many workers are grateful for.
“We’re happy to have a job first of all and offer all these people a job as well,” said Rigo Hernandez, manager as Stuft Pizza Bar.
