While waiting for the tramway…
Shoes and clothes at 50% off, that’s something to attract customers. The merchants really need it. Since tramway construction began in 2004, the shops in the neighborhood have been experiencing difficult times. Customers have been less frequent.
The compensation from the city hall to the businesses is not enough to cover the lost revenue. “We all made significant efforts during the construction, and this kind of event helps us get through,” explains Guy Dejean, president of the Avenue de la République merchants association.
The goal is mainly to bring customers back to the area. Alain Sanz, deputy mayor of Nice, hopes that “the avenue will reconnect with its tradition as a shopping street.” Around sixty businesses are participating in the operation this year. They all hope it will be as successful as the 2005 edition. “These few days of clearance allow us to clear our stocks. We’re taking full advantage: the store will even be open on Sunday,” says Sandra Mesiano, store manager.
“In the long run, the place will become very friendly: the area will be pedestrianized and well-served thanks to the tramway that will run through the entire avenue,” explains Alain Sanz. The construction is expected to be completed by spring 2007. In the meantime, these three days of sales should allow everyone to get good deals.
