Enjoy Easter With Downtown Long Beach Shopping And Dining

Enjoy Easter with Downtown Long Beach shopping and dining at the more than 34 retail, specialty, entertainment and restaurants ranging from apparel and jewelry to candy and gift cards, among others. Now simply referred to as “The Streets,” the heart of Downtown is centered in between Third Street, Sixth Street, Pine Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard, and is the popular holiday spot to shop for spring deals from now through Easter Sunday.

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), Americans will spend more than ever as they celebrate Easter nearly three weeks later this year than last. Spending for Easter is expected to reach $18.4 billion, up 6 percent over last year’s record $17.3 billion and a new all-time high. Those celebrating plan to spend an average of $152 per person, up 4 percent from last year’s previous record of $146.

When it comes to Easter and springtime gifts, consumers will spend $5.8 billion on food, purchased by 87 percent of shoppers; $3.3 billion on clothing, purchased by 50 percent; $2.9 billion on gifts, purchased by 61 percent; $2.6 billion on candy, purchased by 89 percent; $1.2 billion on flowers, purchased by 39 percent; $1.1 billion on decorations, purchased by 43 percent; and $788 million on greeting cards, purchased by 48 percent.

The 50 percent of consumers planning to buy clothing is up from 45 percent last year and is the highest level in a decade while the $3.3 billion expected to be spent is up 9 percent from last year.

“Most consumers have had almost an entire extra month to shop for Easter this year, and by the time the holiday comes the weather should be significantly warmer than last Easter,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “That should put shoppers in the frame of mind to splurge on spring apparel along with Easter decorations. With the economy improving, consumers are ready to shop and retailers are ready to offer great deals whether they’re buying Easter baskets or garden tools.”

With shopping lists in hand, 58 percent of consumers will head to discount stores, 46 percent will go to department stores and 26 percent will shop at local small businesses.

The Downtown retail area has just the right variety of department, discount, specialty stores and small businesses featuring Easter and springtime shopping options with Big 5 Sporting Goods, Daniel’s Jewelers, Footaction, Jean Machine, Payless ShoeSource, and Ross Dress For Less, among others, including:

- Spring into Big 5 Sporting Goods with great gift ideas for him and her including fitness, outdoors, games, team sports, youth and winter, among much more.

- Easter deals at Daniel’s Jewelers include a variety of springtime specials to be found in store.

- To help shoppers look their best, Jean Machine is offering its largest Easter and springtime shoe sale ever on a variety of styles including Circa, Fallen, ES and Osiris shoes, among others.

- Easter and springtime shoppers at Ross Dress For Less will enjoy must-have gifts including the latest arrivals in sportswear, dresses, handbags, accessories and shoes at a 20-60 percent off department store prices.

“Easter and springtime shopping and dining in the heart of Downtown is the right match for area residents and others looking for that perfect spring gift and scrumptious restaurant,” said Tony Shooshani, managing member of Shooshani Developers. “There are a terrific variety of specialty shops, retail stores and dining spots in the Downtown area for shoppers to enjoy.”

The Downtown area offers guests a wide array of restaurants including Milana’s New York Pizzeria, an authentic New York pizzeria; Sushi Zenmaru for teriyaki and rolls; Chuck E. Cheese’s, more than just fun and games, enjoy great food, always fresh with pizzas, salad bar, oven-baked sandwiches, buffalo wings and more; Mitaki Japanese, featuring quick and fresh Japanese cuisine; Pie Bar for desserts featuring delicious handcrafted pies that are made from scratch and other scrumptious delights; Wing Stop for fresh, hot chicken wings, famous fries and delicious sides; Panda Express for Asian-inspired cuisine in a fast casual environment; Fresh Kabobs, the casual, family-style Indian restaurant; and Subway for fresh, delicious, made-to-order sandwiches.

Now simply referred to as “The Streets,” the heart of Downtown is centered in between Third Street, Sixth Street, Pine Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard, and features popular retailers and restaurants. For a complete list of the 34 retail stores, specialty shops, entertainment venues, and dining outlets, please visit http://www.facebook.com/thestreetsdtlb.com.