Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was joined by Governor George Pataki and actor Robert
De Niro on a holiday shopping trip to Orchard Street in lower Manhattan today.
"Throughout lower Manhattan, many businesses lost a huge amount of revenue in the
days and weeks immediately following the World Trade Center attack, when non-residents
and cars were barred from entering the area," Silver said. This year more than
ever, holiday shopping is a much-needed shot in the arm for businesses in lower
Manhattan and all over the city.
"I can't think of a better place to shop than Orchard Street, New York's historic
shopping district, which for generations has attracted smart shoppers in search of high
quality and bargain prices," Silver added.
Across the country, this year's holiday sales figures are expected to drop to their
lowest level in a decade. With tourism to New York City down an estimated 40 percent
since 9/11, retailers and other businesses in the city have been particularly hard-hit
by the holiday season slowdown.
Silver noted that the many shops on Orchard Street are open on Sundays. "That makes
Orchard Street the ideal place for last-minute shoppers looking for a great buy on a
special gift," he said.
Silver is a lifelong resident of lower Manhattan. His legislative district includes the
Orchard Street shopping area, as well as Little Italy, Chinatown, the Financial District,
South Street Seaport Area, Battery Park City and the World Trade Center site.
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