The decision to open the stores was based on the assumption that potential shoppers would be grateful for a place to go during the holiday.

The 80-degree weather, with potential shoppers wearing shorts and strolling outside in the sun, was the last thing they needed.

But still, street traffic - and thus, potential shoppers - remains sparse.

And all of these potential shoppers are also hanging around the airport longer - mostly involuntarily.

Today, they claim 1.9 million names on their "house list" of potential young shoppers.

White Plains is a city of 50,000 that swells to 225,000 people, or potential shoppers, during the day.

Event planners were given the use of the mall corridors to hold events to draw in potential shoppers.

The answer is important to retailers, who look at pedestrian traffic and see potential shoppers.

But the crowds that gather are also potential shoppers; if people stop at the window, they might set foot inside the door.

"I'm very excited by all this," she said as potential shoppers waited for the ceremony to end.