BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Some store owners in Broken Arrow say sales are down about 25 percent compared to this time last year. In the Rose District, one owner said three businesses recently closed, and two more are barely hanging on.
"It's really changed a lot and I'm surprised at it. It's a big challenge for anyone with a small business, there are so many people that have had to pull out of their businesses because they couldn't make it," JoAnn Rainwater said.
For that reason, the city of Broken Arrow is launching a "shop local" campaign before the holiday season, with everything from social media posts to events.
Some business owners hope this will help, but say foot traffic isn't the only concern.
"Everybody is getting their rent raised. To raise your rent for a little each year... I think that's great, it has to be done. But to raise the rent as high as a lot of them have raised it... it's caused the people to have to leave," Rainwater said.
The city wants to increase tax revenue for things like police, fire, and street maintenance. The owner of Just Another Hole said she hopes the attention will bring in new options too.
"We're such a soft, kind community... that I think once businesses start noticing us they're going to just pour in and pour in. So I hope that happens for Broken Arrow," Kimberly Wells said.
The campaign started this month with a survey looking at spending habits, to get a better idea of how to move forward.
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