Shoppers scrambled to find the bargains in lower Manhattan, and to get the coveted last-minute gifts this Black Friday. But some of the district’s retailers were not exactly feeling the joy.
Vibrant storefronts were nearly deserted Thursday, and many were not staffed. The building housing Zara, a fast-fashion chain owned by Inditex, was nearly deserted, with no shop associates inside or in the parking lot.
The news was worse in some neighborhoods. Steve Louis, a manager of JC Penney who was working the morning shift, was helping two teens cross West Street. No shoppers were on the street, he said.
“We had a few people come in on their way out, but they just go and let the first person go,” he said.
The source of shoppers’ angst? Thatching customers trying to beat the 9 a.m. closing.
So far, though, it was a healthy start to the holiday shopping season in New York City.