Crowds of last-minute holiday shoppers were out on the sidewalks and in the stores on Fordham Road.

Online shopping is still people's number one choice, especially with many trying to avoid crowds during the pandemic, but residents say they are thankful to have a local option where they can go to and avoid the stress of waiting for mail to get there in time.

"You're actually dealing with a person that can help you with the sizes, especially when you're buying gifts," says Yonkers resident Cedric Johnson.

Marko Majic, a local business owner, says they live in the community and know the customers by name and speak a lot of the same languages.

As a way to encourage local shopping, the Fordham Road Business Improvement District offered $25 electronic gift cards to anyone who spent at least $50 at member store.