Hundreds Arrive Early For Shops At Nanuet Job Fair

The first job seekers arrived three hours early - at 5 a.m. on Friday - for the hiring fair sponsored by The Shops At Nanuet. The line continued to grow from then on and by 7:30 a .m. numbered about 300 people in a line that stretched the length of the Comfort Inn & Suites in Nanuet.

Prospective employers representing about 30 retailers and restaurants were thrilled by the turnout of job seekers who patiently waited on line from 45 minutes to an hour to fill out applications and hand in resumes. 

“Wow, unbelievable,” was the reaction of one of the interviewers at Brighton Collectibles, who said applicants lived in Nanuet, New City, Stony Point, White Plains and Pomona.

The responses of some people were indicative of those trying to find work in a still struggling economy. 

Yonkers resident Bruce Nixon was hopeful he would find employment.

Nixon said he has been unemployed for four months and has experience in customer service and retail.

“I’ve done both management and retail sales,” he said, adding most of his searching for employment has taken place online.

Those looking for employment spanned the teenage through middle-age years and included men and women in suits and business attire and some young adults in jeans.

Andrew Kolessar of Congers said he was working and hoped to get a second job. He was interested in getting a position at the fitness center but said he was open to other opportunities. 

Tomkins Cove resident Victoria Ober was optimistic her experience working in a deli department would help her get hired at Fairway Market.

Drivers circled around the Comfort Inn’s filled parking lot and were directed to the commuter lot across Route 59 while other job seekers parked on side streets behind the hotel.

“It’s been good,” said Ruth Cruz of White House/Black Market. “We didn’t expect that many people.” 

Cruz said about 100 applications were completed. The store is looking for 12 sales associates, two managers and key holders.

Nina Velez and Ashleigh Carney of Coach said they did not anticipate the response and within the first three hours of the job fair had collected more than 150 applications for 15 positions. Velez, who is the store manager, said they were asking people to fill out applications and hand them in although they had the option of taking and sending in applications.

The Shops At Nanuet General Manager Ryan Hidalgo said there were plenty of openings for employment at the retail center, which will open on October 10.

“The number of jobs available count in the thousands. Fairway Market which is one our new junior anchors at the property, they alone employ 500 people at an average stores,” said Hidalgo. “Add to the fact we have Macy's Sears here, the management office, our security contractor and about 25, 26 smaller retailers here we have basically almost thousands of jobs available today.”

The job fair continues until 6 p.m.