Consumers adjust to economic uncertainty

Thu, Mar 27, 2008

By ANNA FERGUSON

The Brunswick News

Dave Snyder's work commute isn't unbearable. It's only 18 miles.

Nonetheless, prices at the gas pump have risen drastically in recent months, and he's closely watching every dime, nickel and penny he spends.

"There's not much I can do about the drive, so I try to spend less in other places," he said.

As the national economy sends out signals that it is in a downward spiral, Snyder is doing all he can to be careful. For the Brunswick resident, the best way to control living costs is to watch his utilities usage. That means turning off lights when he's not in a room, keeping a close gauge on dripping faucets and even turning off air conditioning.

No matter how hard Snyder tries to save money at home, at work it's a completely different story.

The cost of doing business is out of his control. And frankly, the price is getting out of control, said Snyder, owner of Halyard's restaurant, 55 Cinema Lane, St. Simons Island.

"The big thing with the economy being like it is, is the huge increase in food prices. It's ridiculous," Snyder said. In the past year alone, the price of fish has increased 50 percent, while the price of beef has surged by 30 percent, he said.

Those increases are reflected on Halyard's menu, but guests don't seem too deterred by it.

"Everybody already knows it's bad. They are feeling it just as much," Snyder said.

Though his restaurant is in a higher-end location, customer's aren't forgoing it as a dining option. They are, though, cutting corners once they get there, Snyder said.

"They are still eating out, but they are drinking less," he said, noting that wine, beer and liquor sales have nose-dived in recent months. "People are trying to live their normal lifestyle, but still save where they can."

Kim England is following that frugal-spending theory. While on a family vacation to St. Simons Island, England dined out less to curb spending.

"I wasn't giving up my vacation," she said. "We just had to move a few things around on the budget."

Located in the heart of the St. Simons Village, The 4th of May Cafe at 444 Ocean Boulevard has yet to feel a hard hit from the economic slump. General manager Tom Packard has a few theories about why.

The cafe doesn't tout a pricey menu, he said, and features varioius prices.

The location also is beneficial.

"With gas prices like they are, people are staying closer to home," Packard said. "We are right in the middle of everything, so it's easy for people to get here. I think that's helped us a lot."

That's not to say it's helped him all that much personally, though. The price of filling his van with gasoline has gone from $50 to nearly $100, he said. To make up for the difference, he takes advantage of his resources.

"I bring home 4th of May dinners a lot," he said.

Sandra Regan has seen the wave of restrictive spending in retail shops, but her store, Classi Lady, has not been impacted. This month has been busier than ever, she said.

"It's been fabulous for us," she said. "I know a lot of people aren't as successful right now. I don't know what it is exactly, but we're still very busy."

More than anything, Regan presumes the location and clientele in the area are shielding businesses from the economic strife faced in other parts of the country. Sunny weather and a tourist-based community are on the region's side, she said.

"I think that has a whole lot to do with it," she said. "Whenever there is a turn in the economy like this, we don't feel it as bad here."

A similar opinion was voiced by visitor England. After living on St. Simons Island for more than a decade, she recently relocated to Columbus, Ohio, where the cost of living is higher and her utility bill soared to nearly $500 a month.

"That's a fancy car payment," said England. "I feel like I have really been impacted, from gas to groceries."

But she's found a silver lining. As the operator of an online video game store, England sees the positive and negative to the current state of near-recession. Her export business to Australia and England has sky-rocketed, and domestic sales haven't suffered heavily.

"The way the economy has been and where it seems to be heading, it does worry me. I am very concerned about it," England said. "But I have seen that there is both good and bad to it. Like most people, I just try not to panic."

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