Other teens find
themselves feeling the same way. Interviews with nearly 20 teens in New York
City offered a glimpse of the recession’s effect on young people.
With parents
either losing, or in fear of losing their jobs, some youths are wary of
overspending on summer fun. As people shuffled in and out of the Herald Square
Mall, 15-year-old Rachel Roth left the Forever 21 store with her friends,
16-year-old Elana Gorenstein and 15- year-old Skylar Mavraganis.
She carried a
skirt she bought on sale, using the money she earns working on the kitchen
staff at Camp Louemma.
“I rarely go to
the mall anymore. This is the first time I’ve been here in a while,” Roth said.
Roth said she
used to go to popular retailers Aeropostale and Abercrombie for clothes, but
these days looks for discounts whenever she shops. She has also given up
amusement parks and concerts this summer.
Gorenstein said
that she used to spend a lot on Broadway shows, but now limits her spending.
The same goes
for 17-year-old friends Colette Sabens and Taylor Murphy, who are working as
hostesses this summer. Sabens said she saves money by shopping at vintage
thrift stores in the city instead of more expensive stores.
“I don’t go to
the movies anymore,” Murphy added.
Gregory Kolm, 17,
said he hasn’t been deeply affected by the recession, but is taking advantage
of the city-funded events and other free activities, like Central Park Summer
Stage.
Wu, the Queens
Mall shopper, said that she tries to save money with her friends as they spend
their last summer together before college. They walk aimlessly in Astoria
instead of taking the train or bus.
“We have less
things to do, but it hasn’t changed the bond,” she said.
~By Lory Martinez
Kids Turn to Fast Food in Down Times 
Amanda Moore sits inside a McDonalds in Madison Avenue, chewing on a Quarter Pounder, munching on french fries, and sipping a tall sweet tea. A 23-year-old med student Moore, admits to eating here four times a week.
“It’s always McDonalds,” she says, “because they have the dollar menu.”
For years, experts have warned of a surge in unhealthy eating among young people. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, obesity shot up 17 percent among adolescents during 2003-2004 alone. But with the recession creating new pressure at home and on their wallets, some teens are flocking more than ever to fast food.
Consider 2 Bros Pizza on St. Marks Place, where slices sell for a buck. On a recent afternoon, the shop teemed with long lines and a big crowd of teens.
“Dollar pizza saves a lot of money because other places charge 3.50,” says Juerri Lopez, 17, while grabbing a slice with his two friends. while Before the recession, he said, they would spend more money eating at McDonalds, Burger King, and Chinese food.
The pizzeria owner, Joshua Halali, opened the place last summer, knowing times were getting tight. “I think business is better because of the recession,” says his daughter, Oriel Halali, 16.
The trend doesn’t surprise Jamie McDermott, a licensed dietitian. She said that the eating habits of people reflect their stress levels. Many young people “feel better temporarily when they eat junk food and comfort food,” she says. Most then feel guilty for taking a step backwards.
Aisha Kannesze, 36, a parent of a young daughter says, “You have to have will power.” She believes that parents are responsible for the eating habits of their kids. Worried about her daughter’s food choices, Aisha trains her at a young age. “It’s not about being skinny, it’s about being healthy,” she states. She thinks it’s very helpful to count calories of each of the item on the menu.
Finishing her burger and drink, Moore said she has not eaten at an expensive restaurant for over a year. “I told my husband; if you can’t afford to put a tip on the table, don’t take me,” she said.
~By Samiha Tashneem
The Recession Affects Young Shoppers
Natasha Jahangir, a 22-year-old student, was once an impulse buyer.
Not anymore.
The last time she went shopping was two months ago.
“I stopped spending so much money,” she said.
The recession has forced many young Americans to reconsider their spending habits, and has also influenced the stores that target them. According to studies done by the State University of New York, sales revenue in the state has significantly decreased during the recession.
In interviews this month with more than a dozen shoppers, store employees, and an industry executive, each agreed that the economy has influenced people’s personal spending decisions.
Maria Herrera, 16, stood in front of Forever21 in Union Square, holding the store’s classic yellow bag, and watching those walking by. The petite teenager said she is spending less on clothes, and looking for a job to get more money.
Karina Notaro, 17, expressed similar thoughts as she rushed past an H&M in the Upper East Side. She said she is now buying more from clearance racks.
“If the recession worsens, I’d rather go shopping at thrift stores,” Notaro said.
Clothing brands are now using new methods to appeal to their customers, particularly those affected by the economy. Madison Brands, a company that manufactures and sells woven tops to retail stores, has developed less expensive fabric to make their products.
The company is also increasing discounts, advertising more, and lowering prices to try to counter lagging sales, according to Chasen Mintz, a sales executive at Madison Brands.
Stores like Forever21 that market the “right products at the right price,” according to Ms. Mintz, remain successful.
H&M, another clothing company popular amongst young people, has also taken action to appeal to customers affected by the recession. Red banners advertising clearance sales hang like ornaments throughout the stores, adorn the front windows, ceilings, and racks.
Natasha, previously a spontaneous shopper, has also started buying clothes at thrift shops.
“I make do with what I have,” she said.
~By Esther Whang
The Recession and Hot Dog Vendors
During lunch hour on a recent hot summer day, Potouridis
Elefterios, who’s been pushing carts since Ronald Reagan was in office, only
had three customers in the course of 15 minutes. Each purchased just a drink.
Elefterios has tried to battle the recession by lowering his
prices, but even that hasn’t worked. “On the West Side, hot dogs sell for
two dollars,” he said. “I only sell for $1.25 -- I still make no business!”
Across New York City, there is no shortage of evidence of
the recession’s impact, right down to the corners of Manhattan’s busiest
intersections. Of eight hot dog vendors interviewed in a recent week, all
agreed that business was suffering like never before.
The recession does not only affect veterans such as
Elefterios, but those that recently became involved. Mouhamed Heda, a
27-year-old from Morocco, became a vendor four years ago. Now he’s simply
waiting for his license to expire.
“Before, I was happy,” said Heda, who plans to become a taxi
driver. “Now? No.”
On the corner of 7th Avenue and West 43rd Street, Mohamed
Elsayed says that sales have severely declined since 2006. He works at least
twelve hours a day seven days a week but says some days his take-home pay is
only $60. This translates to about five dollars an hour, lower than the
standard minimum wage in New York City.
“It’s hard,” said Walid Elbaramawy, a hot dog vendor in
Times Square. “Sometimes it’s cold, sometimes it rains, and we still have to
come out and work, I mean, we have to survive somehow, right?”
Some are considering a second job. Some have no options.
Nabil Hamuy said that the price of a two-year permit has
doubled—to $10,000—but that his sales have dropped 75 percent in the past
year. Some days, he makes as little as $35, but he’s not sure what else to do.
“What can I do?” he asked. “Everyone is getting fired now.”
For Uddin Mohamed, a vendor for 14 years, $35 in profits
would be a good day in this recession. So what’s a bad day? “Very bad,”
said Mohamed.
~By Alfred Ng
Photos: Hot dog vendor (Alfred Ng); AP Images
Recent Comments