Some Local Businesses Feel Sagging Economy, Others Seem Immune

Many Mt. Pleasant businesses are feeling the stress of the failing economy. Some have already folded under the conditions. Others are doing just fine.

Char Young is all too familiar with the state of the economy. “There aren’t as many people coming in, and when they do come in they are careful what they spend”, said Young, owner of Jim & Donna’s Flower Shop, 100 S. Mission Street.

Young feels the items she sells are non-necessities – the types of purchases that are first to get cut when families budgets are tight. She also noted that competition with the big box stores has contributed to the drop in her sales. All of the large discount retailers sell fresh flowers and other merchandise similar to what Young carries.


Some Mt. Pleasant staples have lost the battle with the failing economy. It’s a depressing drive down Mission Road past the empty buildings where The Embers, Tony’s, and The Sweet Onion once thrived. The economic problems have in turn adversely affected the real estate market, causing these buildings to sit vacant for months on end.

The picture is not so grim on Broadway Street. Kristine Zeleznik, owner of Stone Soup Gifts & Home Accessories, 102 East Broadway Street, says she is doing fine. Zeleznik follows a few simple principles to stay successful. “Keep it unique. Take great care to bring unique affordable gifts and accessories, that’s why i’m surviving”, said Zeleznik.