SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — Perhaps the rain which poured down in the mid to late afternoon slowed things down.

Whatever the reason, at 6:00 pm and for sometime after, store owners at the centre of town began to wonder where the shoppers were for the Jamaica Observer’s Celebration of Fashion’s Night Out in Santa Cruz.

Then, suddenly, they came. First a trickle, and then a steady stream, pouring into the shops and stores mostly at the centre and eastern end of this bustling south central town.

Store managers and staff at Big Buy Variety Store, Maxie, Fashion Authority, Fashion & Things, and Beautiful U hardly had time to scratch their heads as shoppers hunted casual, office and formal wear.

Teacher Stacy Ann Lambert, showing off a pants suit, said she had deliberately delayed her back-to-school shopping to catch the sale on Jamaica Observer’s Celebration of Fashion’s Night Out.

“Now I am buying my back-to-school clothes,” she boasted.

The young, chic, and fashion conscious were also out in droves.

“I like fashion,” said Nickeshia Blake as she exited Fashion Authority with what she described as a loose fitting top.

Marjorie Newland of Fashion Authority said shoppers were mostly buying blouses, shoes and shirts.

Tora White of Fashion & Things was grateful for what sghe said was a “good turnout”, though she felt it was probably “not as good as last year”; while at the neighbouring Beautiful U, Trecia Robinson said her shoppers were demanding handbags, blouses, curtains and jeans.

Sander Santani of Elegant Electronics at the centre of town, did thriving business, selling “mostly small appliances, colognes, watches” and other items of jewellery.

As was the case last year, business was slow at the west end of town, but Merline Murphy of ‘Baby Things, Stationary and Toys’ was philosophical as she collected on the sale of a shirt, “It’s slow, but give God thanks…” she said.

Bev Faulknor of Klassy Kollections was blunt. “Very, very slow, just one or two people,” she said.

Appliance retailers Courts, also at the west end of town, picked up after a slow start, said Relief Branch Manager Dorrian Lynch as he negotiated the sale of an office chair. Prospective buyer Lola Parker smiled as she turned the chair from side to side.

“I will buy it if he is going to give me a good price,” she said.