Shopping for holiday treasures

’Tis the season for customers in the buying spirit

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Whether customers are shopping at small businesses or department stores in Franklin Square or Elmont this year, people are excited about to buy and exchange gifts. The reasons are apparent in the eyes of couples getting engaged in Franklin Square, and the enthusiasm of customers browsing a new Target that opened in Elmont on Nov. 30.

At the jewelry store Oro Puro II in Franklin Square, the most in-demand items are rings such as the much-sought eternity ring, made of gold and diamonds. Engagement rings are also popular, according to Christina Matozzo, who owns the store with her father, Teddy.

"'Tis the season for engagements," Christina said. "What's so great about our store and business is that people are always celebrating. We get to be a part of their memories. That means so much to me."

The shop, on Hempstead Turnpike, has extended hours to accommodate holiday customers, and is open on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. until the new year. "Whether it's the holiday season or not, our prices are low every day," said Teddy. "We're a small business, so we try to keep everything we sell priced as close to at-cost as possible."

Heading westbound into Elmont, also on Hempstead Turnpike, there is a new Target. One-quarter the size of the big-box version of Target, the store still has everything people in the neighborhood need, according to Manager Daniella Kounas.

"It's small, but busy here," she said. "We have the same stuff, but in less amounts ... For example, our largest-sized televisions are the 32-inch-screen TVs. Instead of 15 or 20 aisles of groceries, we have 10. With a smaller store, we're more like a family who works together. We also connect with the customers on a more personal level here, knowing each other on first-name basis."

Asked about gift ideas, Kounas mentioned popular toys such as Shopkins and Paw Patrol. The store also has deals on local-themed clothing, such as New York Islanders T-shirts, and seasonal items such as Christmas and Hanukkah decorations.

"We're open just in time for the holidays," Kounas said. "We had a line outside our door Sunday morning before we opened at 7 a.m. We had gotten a shipment of Hatchimals" - a new toy this season, with a stuffed animal hatched from an egg - "in stock ... and as quickly as we received them, they were off the shelves."

Jaden Barroso, a 10-year-old from South Floral Park, said he loves to wander down the toy aisle and pick out his favorites. "This year I'm asking for Pokémon cards," he said. "I also like anything related to Star Wars."

Target employee Ricardo Taffe, of Elmont, said that Christmas trees were disappearing from the shelves, as well as Nintendo video games and consoles. He added that he wanted to get his 6-year-old daughter an individualized Christmas tree, but they were out of stock. "I think when we get more, I should," he said, "because I think she'd enjoy that."