“Santa’s not worried about the economy,” McMaken said. “He still has plenty of toys.”
If Santa isn’t worried about the economy, the vendors at the swap meet are. This holiday shopping season has been slower than in past years for sellers at the Orange County Market Place, who come each week to sell everything from flip flops and T-shirts to handmade quilts.
Pasadena resident Sandy Warner began selling gold jewelry at swap meets in 1979, slowly expanding her mobile business to include picture frames, glass perfume bottles and fashion accessories. Business was picking up Saturday, she said, but it’s still slower than in years past.
“There are people here at least,” Warner said Saturday as she wrapped up a porcelain jewelry hangar for a customer. “As long as we get people here, business is decent, but it’s been on a steady decline for a while.”
Concerned about the economy, holiday shoppers are spending less this year at the swap meet.
Don Jones, of Wildomar, comes to the Orange County Market Place each year with his family to hunt for bargains on Christmas presents. He toted a wagon behind him Saturday, filed with purchases like electronics and handbags, but he and his family are spending less this year, he said.
“Everyone is scared about the economy,” Jones said. “But I’m hoping Mr. Obama will straighten it all out.”
Bonnie Shown, of Riverside, began her custom quilting business in August after she was laid off from her office job. Now she and her sister display their handiwork each week at the Orange County Market Place. One quilt, which she named “Bonnie’s Dream” hung in her stall on Saturday, an intricate design with patches of purple and blue fabric.
“I’m still looking for work, but I had to do something to keep money coming in,” she said.
