He said those relatively high priced items show how healthy the economy is. We had steady growth. Rusty Merkel of Merkel's Inc. said sales were up at his mid-town store. Hunting and fishing equipment sold especially well. Merkel has come to expect that guns sell better whenever sportsmen fear that restrictive laws are under consideration, but during 1999 Merkel said sales were good all year long.
People seem to have more money in their pocket and seem to be spending money.
Jeff Schuecking of Schuecking's Inc. sells men's clothing along Washington Square and believes pent up demand for good clothing has been helped by the strong economy. Schuecking said lots of men have not invested in suits and sport coats in recent years, partly because casual clothing was popular. He believes a dressier corporate-casual look is coming into style and people are investing in their wardrobes. We saw excellent growth in 1999 and we're looking for a strong 2000. Scholz said the opening of new Wal-Mart Supercenter at 52nd and Broadway next month will help keep sales growing this year.