Merchants on Avenida Central report slow sales

LA PRENSA/Jorge Fernández

Por la avenida Central transitan cientos de personas, pero los comerciantes sostienen que son pocos los que compran. Además, algunas estructuras que adornan la avenida se han deteriodado.

17/12/2012 - Merchants on Avenida Central aren't feeling the holiday joy this year as sales are slow.

"Customers are not coming locally," said merchant Rogelio López. "The mayor has share of blame."

On the outside it is impossible to see his display due to the hawkers lining the street.

"People can't walk down the street," he said. "There are the hawkers, and then the rain chases everyone away."

He said there is no air conditioning or parking, meaning most people go to the malls to shop.

Fellow merchant Mayra Rosa Guerra said people are tight with their money this year, and are looking for "the cheapest items."

"We lower prices 10, 15 and even 50 percent, and still some days nobdy buys," Rosa Guerra said.

The jewelry shop owner, who has been in business for more than 50 years, said that businesses have been coming and going with some regularity. Rosa Guerra said that the next few weeks will be a key to determining if her store will be one of those who go.