W-b Twp. Officials Clash Over Budget Cuts

Anthony Gorka 
Dec. 5, 1992 
Anthony Gorka, 69, Of Harveys Lake, Died Saturday Morning In Nesbitt Memorial 
Hospital, Kingston.

By DAWN SHURMAITIS; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Monday, December 07, 1992 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A QUICK WORDS: HOLIDAY SHOPPING 





WILKES-BARRE -- Even though she lives in Dickson City, Felicia Kazmerski
browses, shops and buys in downtown Wilkes-Barre. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I like it because everything is all together," she said, hot off a
purchase of a $6 T-shirt from the Wet Paint store in Midtown Village. "It's
reasonable and it's so cheerful you feel like shopping, like spending." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; But despite Kazmerski's optimism, other merchants -- including the owner of
the Wet Paint store -- report a mixed bag of success this Christmas shopping
season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "They go to Boscov's and they go home," Wet Paint co-owner Stephen Taren
complains of downtown shoppers. "No one can convince me otherwise. If I was at
the mall I'd be doing five times better. I don't understand it." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Taren took advantage of a unique offer from his landlord, who rented him
the store for two months -- from Nov. 15 to Jan. 15, the choicest shopping
time. Wet Paint sells unique T-shirts and other clothes. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Taren is right in one respect -- Boscov's is doing well this Christmas
season, according to assistant store manager Brian Cann. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We're doing fine, business is good," said Cann, who estimates the downtown
department store is generating approximately 2 percent more business this
season than last. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I know it goes against everything everyone else is saying. Everyone else
is crying the blues," he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 To help change that tune, the Wilkes-Barre Downtown Committee initiated
several ideas designed to lure shoppers to center city, which boasts more open
stores this year than last. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 This year's downtown vacancy rate is between 14.5 and 15 percent, compared
to 17.5 percent last year, said Bud Scharf, director of downtown operations
for the Wilkes-Barre Downtown Committee, a city-sponsored coalition for
downtown development. Scharf was hired in January 1900. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The downtown area as defined by the Downtown Committee borders Ross to
North streets, the River Commons to Wilkes-Barre Boulevard. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I think we're very fortunate the first block of South Main Street has
dramatically decreased the number of vacancies," said Scharf. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Two years ago the city tried to entice shoppers to a makeshift Christmas
Village on Public Square but very few went. The same year, city landlords
offered shopkeepers discount rent on downtown stores to fill the empty spaces
during the Christmas rush. Wet Paint is the only retail store Scharf knows
that took temporary residence downtown this year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Santa, however, did return. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 GAR High School is again operating Santa's Workshop for children, which
features story readings and visits by Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and assorted
elves. The workshop, housed in a former jewelry store on South Main Street, is
open 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday nights and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturdays. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Also, the downtown committee distributed 6,000 discount coupons to downtown
employees to entice them to work and shop in center city. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Said Scharf: "Quite a few merchants said they've gotten the coupons back."

Holiday Registers 
Are Not Ringing 
For All City Shops 
________________ 
Some Shoppers Enjoy 
Center City Retail Action, But Results For Downtown Merchants Have Been 
Spotty So Far

Holiday Registers Are Not Ringing For All City Shops ________________ Some Shoppers Enjoy Center City Retail Action, But Results For Downtown Merchants Have Been Spotty So Far