Furniture Stores Suffering
YAKIMA -- The rug is being pulled out from under many furniture stores in Yakima.
It's a sign of the times; empty furniture stores across Yakima. And time is ticking away for many of them to stay in business.
With profits for local stores down more than 20-percent, Jose Torres is trying to stay positive. As the owner of "K and K Custom Furniture" on Nob Hill Boulevard, Torres' work is also his life.
"I've owned my own business for four years now," Torres says. "I wouldn't trade it this for anything. It is what I love doing."
A love that Torres hopes will extend through good times and bad.
In recent months, new customers have stopped coming into Torres' store, requiring him to take some harsh measures.
As a result, Torres has stopped buying new items to sell in his store. It's a way for him to save money. Another cutback has been advertising, which Torres felt would be too costly during such difficult financial times.
Similar problems have had a ripple effect across the area. In Yakima County, sales tax revenues are down more than 7-percent, which is the worst local decline since 1985.
For now, business owners like Torres are having to rely on old customers for any financial support.
They're the ones helping me out," Torres explains.
It's help that Torres needs to keep his store alive.
It's a sign of the times; empty furniture stores across Yakima. And time is ticking away for many of them to stay in business.
With profits for local stores down more than 20-percent, Jose Torres is trying to stay positive. As the owner of "K and K Custom Furniture" on Nob Hill Boulevard, Torres' work is also his life.
"I've owned my own business for four years now," Torres says. "I wouldn't trade it this for anything. It is what I love doing."
A love that Torres hopes will extend through good times and bad.
In recent months, new customers have stopped coming into Torres' store, requiring him to take some harsh measures.
As a result, Torres has stopped buying new items to sell in his store. It's a way for him to save money. Another cutback has been advertising, which Torres felt would be too costly during such difficult financial times.
Similar problems have had a ripple effect across the area. In Yakima County, sales tax revenues are down more than 7-percent, which is the worst local decline since 1985.
For now, business owners like Torres are having to rely on old customers for any financial support.
They're the ones helping me out," Torres explains.
It's help that Torres needs to keep his store alive.
