With more people going online to shop, or not shopping at all due to the economy, retail businesses on Signal Mountain may become just memories in the not-so-distant future. Many mountain business owners report at least a 20 percent drop in sales within the past few years.
We talked to Signal Mountain business owners whose retail stores have been around a decade or more, to see what they are doing to keep their doors open and what the community can do to help.
“It’s tough to keep your head above water this day and age, especially in retail,” said Jeff Price, who opened J&S Shoes in 1994. “I’m having to work twice as hard to make less money.”
“What we’re really trying to promote is encouraging residents to shop local,” said Karie Holmes, Accents owner and president of the Mountain Business Association.
She said for every $50 spent in a local store over a month’s time, $34 goes back into the community.