Shops still closed on Monday

JAKARTA (JP): Most shopping centers in the capital were still closed on the first day of 2001, Antara reported on Monday.

The news agency said this included shops at ITC Roxy Mas and the Pasar Baru shopping complex in Central Jakarta, the Pasar Raya Manggarai shopping center and the Pasar Minggu shopping area in South Jakarta, and ITC Mangga Dua, the Glodok electronic center and the Taman Anggrek mall in West Jakarta.

Most shops at the centers put small notices on their doors, saying that they will open again on Jan. 3, 2001.

"Business has been slow since Christmas and many shop owners let their employees have a holiday until Jan. 1," Yanto, 38, a shop owner at the Glodok electronic center, said.

Yet, food businesses took the advantage of the new year holiday as restaurants and food stalls at the Taman Anggrek mall, Pasar Raya Manggarai and ITC Mangga Dua were thronged by visitors. (imn)