Small Businesses Feeling the Pinch

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Nearly everywhere you turn, more small businesses are closing their doors as the current recession is making it more difficult to stay in business.

The Stellers Gallery in San Marco that has been in business two decades is closing its doors.  A sign on the store reads "closing this location."

Owner Scott Riley says it all boils down to overhead.

"The sales in the past couple of years haven't been there to cover that," said Riley, whose art gallery is one of the largest in the southeast.

"Twenty years ago, 14 employees in here, now it is down to me and a couple...that's kind of where we are."

Commercial real estate agent Gary Montour with Colliers Dickinson says he is seeing more small businesses either closing their doors or working to renegotiate their leases.

Tony Sleiman is the king of retail in the city, with a portfolio including the Jacksonville Landing and countless strip centers across the city.

"I think things are getting better," said Sleiman, who says what's happening now, while bad, compares to previous recessions.

In recent months, Sleiman says he is seeing more activity.

"We have probably done 30-40 leases, so I say that it has picked up."

Montour says the future of many small retail businesses will depend on consumer spending for Christmas.  He believes early next year could spell problems for more retailers if shoppers don't open up their wallets.

©2009 First Coast News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, or redistributed.