By: Olivia Armstrong, Follow South Jersey Intern
GLASSBORO, N.J. – The holiday season began in October in South Jersey. Stores started putting up their decorations, merchandise and specialty holiday drinks, before and just after Halloween hit.
The 5 Below located at 767 Delsea Dr, Glassboro, started putting up their holiday merchandise and decorations October 20 and changed their hours to close at midnight instead of 9 p.m. due to the holiday rush, which means more work for the employees. Jeffrey Tucker, the merchandise manager at this location said “I am personally not happy that it begins this early because it is more work for me, I have to be here from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. which is more than my normal hours.”
Unfortunately the store associates and managers at 5 Below do not get more pay during this crazy time, with the hard work they devote, and longer hours but as much as it sucks, holiday decorations and music always puts people in a better mood… Unless it’s Black Friday.
More things at 5 Below than can be imagined, from Christmas trees, lights, ornaments, blankets, decor, socks, pajamas, candy, stuff for pets, and wrapping paper all starting at 1 dollar.
The Starbucks, located in the Barnes & Noble Rowan University Bookstore at 201 Rowan Blvd., in Glassboro has always been a big hit for Rowan students. They unfortunately were temporarily closed because of a fire for a short time but are back in business.
They started selling their holiday drinks the first week of November, and they take them down right after New Years. Their holiday menu consists of peppermint mocha, caramel brulée latte, new iced gingerbread oat milk chai, starbucks christmas blend 2023, iced sugar cookie almond milk latte, a snowman cookie, peppermint mocha frappuccino blended beverage, their signature hot chocolate, a gingerbread loaf, and lastly a peppermint brownie cake pop.
Starbucks always gets busy during this time because of their famous holiday menu, this specific location gets super busy due to college tours. “It gets so much busier… not only because that’s when a majority of tours are for incoming students but people go crazy for the seasonal drinks,” Gianna Blanche, their cafe manager said.
Luckily for the Starbucks employees their pay does raise during this time due to the influx of people coming in for the drinks. Blanche loves this time of year at Starbucks for many reasons but also because her hours don’t change at all.
“I am very happy that this starts because not only are other people happy and the store does well financially, but I love the drinks as well,” Blanche said.
- Fostering Pets: Helping Animals While Bringing Joy To Yourself
- With Thousands Of Species To Find, Mushrooming Can Be A Fungi Outdoor Activity
- The Black Maternal Health Fair Addresses Disparities
Follow South Jersey provides local journalism which highlights our diverse communities; fosters transparency through robust, localized, and vital reporting that holds leaders and institutions accountable; addresses critical information needs; supports people in navigating civic life; and equips people with the information necessary to partake in effective community engagement. If there is a story or event you think we should cover, please send your tips to news@followsouthjersey.com with “NEWS” in the subject line.
