Some retailers 'just hanging in' at Montgomery Mall.

Byline: David Irvin

Dec. 4--Foot traffic at the beleaguered Montgomery Mall has slowed this holiday season, despite strong buyer turnout the day after Thanksgiving, shop managers and customers said Sunday.

This is the first holiday season for the mall without a major department store anchor after Parisian departed in March, leaving Steve and Barry's University Sportswear -- a large discount retailer -- to generate much of the foot traffic.

Though mall management declined to answer questions about customer volume, anchor prospects or even if they would hire a Santa Claus this year, several retailers said sales were strong the day after Thanksgiving. …