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Malls, retailers and street vendors cope with a bleak holiday season as pandemic travel restrictions keep shoppers from crossing the border.
EL PASO Twinkling holiday lights cast a warm glow and Christmas carols blare from speakers at the Outlet Shoppes of El Paso. But in these pandemic times, something is missing from the traditional holiday scene on the border: shoppers from Mexico.
“Yeah, it has affected us. Normally this time of year it’s a little more packed in the mall and everything,” said Lawnie Lazalde, a employee of Mr. C’s Toys, a local business with a kiosk in this open-air mall. This time of year, he and his coworker should be busy as Santa’s elves selling the hottest toys. “We got baby Yoda, like Mickey Mouse, Sonic the Hedgehog,” he said pointing to the shelves.