Tanger Shoppers Feeling Pinch from Poor Economy

Riverhead resident Matt Kukla spent Friday afternoon browsing the stores at Tanger Outlets. But he said he wasn't shopping for himself: he is unemployed and was shopping for a birthday gift for his fiancée, one of the few times he said he's spent money recently.

"There's a reason for my shopping," he said, "I'm not shopping on a whim like I'd do if the economy was better."

Kukla was one of many Tanger Outlet shoppers who said the poor economy has affected how they shop. On Friday evening before Columbus Day, the center was quiet, with only a few customers walking between the shops.

Tamara Lasky, who lives in Washington D.C., was visiting her parents in Coram for the weekend.

"I haven't been able to spend any money. The economy has kept me without a job," Lasky said. Her mother was treating her to a shopping trip at Tanger since Lasky couldn't purchase any clothes of her own.

Lasky received her Masters degree in security policy studies from the George Washington University, but said the job market is tough.

"I'm over-educated and under-employed," she said.

Lasky wasn't the only out-of-towner who took advantage of the Columbus Day sales. Annie Cruz took her Barbadian friend Rishma Ramdass shopping because the prices at Tanger are much lower than in Barbados.

Cruz ran her hands through her pockets and pulled out three pennies. "No money in my pocket," she joked.

Riverhead resident Jen McClintock said the economy has forced her family to be more careful with their spending.

"We're looking for more sales and savings," she said. McClintock was shopping with her kids, who she said have also been affected.

"I think everyone forgets that," she said. "The kids know this is happening too."