With the holidays nearly here local businesses are gearing up for what's likely to be a busy holiday season.
That's been complicated by a number of factors, including recent inflationary pressures and a federal GST tax relief holiday.
The recent Canada Post strike is also bringing its own troubles, says Downtown Businesses Association Chair and A and A Jewellery Store Owner Laurel Buck.
"It is causing disruption. I had one parcel that I had to order and because they're not shipping through Canada Post, I had to pay $143 shipping just for a small little parcel."
With those stresses hitting the owners Buck says that the positive side is that more people are realising the value of local businesses.
"People can just come into the business. It's there, they can get it. They can walk out, they know they're going to have it for Christmas."
With so many businesses feeling that stress Buck says it's important people continue to support them so that everyone gets ahead.
It's so important not just at the holidays, but all the time because we are creating jobs in the city where we're supporting the sports teams and it's important for the community to support us so we can support them."