Public schools out, spring break begins

GULF SHORES, Ala. - Spring break is well underway along the Gulf Coast, and it's about to get even bigger. That's because public school sin Mobile and Baldwin County will be out next week.

Business owners in Gulf Shores say the season has been a successful one so far.

Alden Allen and her friends are wrapping up their spring break at a tattoo shop. As they thumb through the choices, she thinks about where her money has gone this week:

• "I spent $220 in my part of renting the house."
• "Then $20 more for all the supplies in the house"
• "And then $20 more for drinks"
• "Then I just spent $30 at another store here. It all adds up really fast."

But her experience on the Gulf Coast was worth the money. "I haven't been to Gulf Shores actually. We normally go to Panama City, so it was cool to do something new," said Allen.

David's Gallery owner Carolyn Hall said with all the business continuing to come in, she can hardly tell we are in a recession. But she doesn't take that lightly.

"We try to give people discounts and work with them, if they are on a budget, we'll work out something and say we'll help you with that," said Hall.

Business owners say Spring Break 2009 is proving to be very successful, despite the economy. They just the summer season 2009 goes just as well. Hall has no doubt it will.

"Very optimistic. My theory is the law of attraction. If you think it's going to be good, its more than likely to happen."