By Gabrielle Harradine
Special to the Daily Press

THIRD STREET PROMENADE Ready or not, here it comes — the last weekend before Christmas has snuck up again.

What does that mean to anyone who might shop here this weekend? Don’t expect a lot of personal space.

Fully aware that this weekend could be a make or break sales event for 2007, retailers have been preparing for the expected rush by staffing up and lengthening store hours for shoppers.

So far, most shops along the promenade have been doing pretty well this holiday season, reporting sales figures similar to last year’s — a good thing considering the rumors of a recession floating around.

The alternative clothing and furnishing store Urban Outfitters, located on the 1400 block of Third Street, has seen nearly the same sales as last year’s, except for their women’s clothing, which has been selling better this year, according to Aaron Johnson, the store manager.

Meanwhile, the store managers at Lorin, a hip specialty shoe store further north on the promenade, are counting their blessings.

“You have to pick the right shoes to stock (up on). It’s tough and we got lucky this year,” said John Marifian, a manager, adding that their big sellers this time around are boots, especially those UGGs.

Just across the way at Puzzle Zoo, owner Jay Demircift seemed happy this week with his rate of business. His sales are up a little from last year.

“We’re fortunate being on this street and that the weather has been so good this year,” said Demircift, whose products range the toy spectrum. This year, the Havoc Heli, which flies by remote, has been a big seller, along with Pokemon and Transformer items.

At Restoration Hardware, the popular high-end store was fresh out of their hottest item — Scrabble in a wood box — thanks to the Oprah show and her “favorite things.” They also carry the retro wooden box-style for Monopoly and Clue games, but those were sold out too.

Although most retailers and businesses will be having extra staff for the home stretch weekend, the See’s Candy booth In Santa Monica Place mall will be manned by just one.

The female worker seemed to take the fact in stride.

“It just worked out that way,” she said.

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