You can hear the frustration in their voices, see the concern on their faces.
For proprietors with shops along narrow Main Street, Auburn, USA, these are long, tough days.
Business remains slow for restaurateurs and retailers trying to regain their financial footing in a deep and devastating recession.
Aside from loyal customers, the sidewalk traffic is sporadic at best, and the grim realization is setting in that it will be a slow, agonizing recovery, especially for those who earn a living in the heart of the city.
“We have not seen the signs that downtown is picking up,” admitted Jim Rottle, while looking on from inside his family’s longstanding family apparel and footwear business on East Main. “Weekend business is good, but during the week it has been quiet.”
Dave Comstock has owned and operated his bindery and bookshop in downtown Auburn since 1984. He has seen his share of ups and downs, but nothing quite like this.
“We’re surviving, but that’s it,” Comstock said. “I would like us to do a little better than just survive. Everybody is affected. I’m just glad we haven’t lost more businesses.”
Auburn is not alone in the small business crisis.
With the country mired in 10 percent unemployment, commerce remains down, the backwash from the 8.4 million jobs lost since the recession began more than two years ago.
Stock values continue to fall. Economic growth continues to stagger, albeit upwardly by some indicators. Home prices might be “bottoming out,” but foreclosures are projected to set a record this year, according to private forecasts.
In Washington alone, the state Employment Security Department reports, 106,200 jobs were lost in 2009, the worst 12-month figure in recent history.
And Boeing took its hits, shedding more than 3,700 jobs in the last year, with more announced this season – about 500 in the Puget Sound area – as part of the 10,000 layoffs Boeing originally targeted for 2009.
Such economic plight hasn’t eased the tension on small business owners trying to survive the aftershock of the worst economy since the Great Depression.
Business owners are doing all they can to persevere. Some shops have cut overhead, trimmed hours and controlled costs. But shops have closed for good. Vacancies abound.
Those owners still in business are doing so without much support from state and federal hands.
Comstock, for one, doesn’t expect to receive any help for his struggling business.
“Not a damn thing. They’re not going to do anything for little bitty businesses. They never have,” he said. “And the state’s not going to do anything but increase our taxes, like the county’s doing.
“There’s no cooperation from government at all for small businesses. It doesn’t exist,” Comstock added. “So we’re having to tough it out and try to get through this.”
The cost of doing business in the state remains high. And the state’s proposal to increase the sales tax by three tenths of a cent until 2013 to narrow a $2.8 billion budget deficit doesn’t sit too well with business owners trying to drum up customers.
“The state is spending way more than they’re taking in,” said Ken Nelson, who owns and operates Nelson’s Jewelry on Main Street.
Unfavorable taxes and high insurance costs make it difficult for small businesses to exist, let alone get established.
Colleen Barry was one of the few who decided to start a business in the face of a recession. Her cozy downtown restaurant, The Kitsch-en, has withstood some lean days. Barry insists she will stay open at a time when other owners have pulled out of Auburn.
“It’s been frustrating and depressing some days, other days you’re thinking maybe things will turn around,” Barry said. “There’s no rhyme or reason to it. You have to take it on a daily basis.”
Despite typical slow sales for the first quarter of this year, some owners remain guardedly optimistic.
“We can always do better,” said Carol Nedderman, who works at Ultimate Hobbies. “What would really help is if we had more stores open, more foot traffic. But it will be slow, I’m sure.”
Nelson added: “I’m more optimistic than I have been.”
Rottles Clothing and Shoes has been forced to be more creative in marketing its diversified store to draw in more customers. The second half of 2010 will say plenty about how well the economy is doing.
“We did less business in 2009 than we did in 2008, but we’re looking to rebound from that,” Jim Rottle said. “But were anxiously waiting for the city’s projects to culminate and get more people to downtown.”
The city held a grand opening this week for the One Main Professional Center, a three-story downtown office building.
Perhaps it is the beginning of a brighter day for a downtown that could use an injection of hope.
And perhaps Auburn’s dysfunctional and bickering Auburn Downtown Association can come to a consensus, come up with new ideas and find new ways to generate business. Perhaps the downtown can create new local ownership, new leadership.
Until then, small business – as Auburn knows it – will trudge on.
“Have we bottomed out? I don’t know,” Comstock said as he watched customers peruse his bookshelves. “We will know more later this year.”

The City is losing a great man and good servant in longtime Councilmember Gene Cerino.

The coach has fulfilled his term, having lost the seat to another great man, John Partridge, in the Nov. 3 general election.

Friends and colleagues assembled early this week to celebrate Cerino’s service. Reporter Robert Whale was there and filed a story, which now is available online and will be in print later this week.

As Mayor Pete Lewis described about Cerino, who is 82: “One of the things as I was coming into the position of mayor that I learned was that if I had something that nobody else ever wanted to touch, ever, I could give it Gene and he would make sure it got done, and he did that consistently.”

Dana Hinman, the city’s communications manager, marveled on how well prepared Cerino was in all facets of his duty. The man did his homework. The man reached out to help others.

Gene Cerino addresses well-wishers at his send-off party at City Hall early this week.

Lewis declared Monday, Dec. 21 “Gene Cerino Day” in the city of Auburn. He also read a proclamation from Gov. Christine Gregoire — whom Cerino taught to drive at Auburn High School — that declared Dec. 21 “Gene Cerino Day in the state of Washington.” Gregoire cited his service as a World War II veteran, his degree from Washington State University, his 27 years as a teacher in the Auburn School District, his 20 years as a wrestling coach, his induction into the state and national wrestling halls of fame, and his service on every City standing committee.

Cerino intends to stay active. He is considerably younger, both physically and mentally, than his actual age would indicate. Very little will keep this good man down.

Auburn’s Devanni Partridge, the reigning Miss Washington, needs your help. As she prepares for compete in next month’s Miss America Pageant, Partridge’s camp hopes to collect as many online votes as possible.

You can help Partridge in her pursuit to become the first woman from Washington to win that title by going to www.greentwithtamara.com/vote/, and submit your vote by selecting Washington. The system only accepts one vote per computer.

Devanni Partridge is only the second Auburn woman to win the Miss Washington crown.

To follow Devanni’s progress to Miss America, log on to her Web site at www.misswashington.org.

Bob Williams, 65, is in a wheelchair and faces an uncertain future. Despite his diminishing health, Williams is willing to help others. He volunteered his time to help distribute meals to families at the Community Big Give.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, consider those who are struggling.

Reporter Robert Whale found an interesting man, Bob Williams, at the Community Big Give. Williams, a retired heavy construction worker and Vietnam era veteran,  is grateful for what he has – the car his late father passed on, a roof over his head, food, a wife, a chance to do a nice turn for his neighbors.

What Williams doesn’t have is time. Doctors say he has a year to live. The man is suffers from severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema.

Despite his condition, Williams maintains a good outlook and an open heart to help others. “I want to enjoy life more. I want to get everything I can out of life,” he said.

Whale’s story appears in Friday’s edition.

From left, Linda Davis, Diana Holz and Tina LayosKnapp work their magic at Green River Montessori School. The trio has been a part of the school for 35 years.

Kudos to three special ladies – Diana Holz, Tina LayosKnapp and Linda Davis – who have been the foundation of the Green River Montessori School, which celebrates its 35th anniversary. The three work well together – Holz overseas the school, Tina manages it and Linda keeps the kitchen running.

“It’s been a success,” said LayosKnapp, the school’s director. “It’s overwhelming when you think we’re on our second generation of students. Our former students are bringing their children to our school. It’s just a great tribute.”

While the Montessori method of schooling isn’t for everyone, it is indeed a special way to learn and grow for those who attend the little school that could. The students’ work is impeccable. The staff is incredible. Again, a fine school that goes about its work, day in and day out.

The Reporter would like to hear from our readers if you have a special Thanksgiving-type story they wish to share.

Could it be you’re thankful for what you have despite living in difficult circumstances? Is there an Auburn family that has persevered through a plight? Is there a person who overcame major obstacles, even a health emergency? Are there other reasons to be more thankful today?

Contact us if you have a compelling story, an inspirational one to share.

Please e-mail: mklaas@auburn-reporter.com.

Thank you.

Phew. Glad the elections are over?

While the last of the ballots remain to be tallied, the general election has been decided. Auburn residents spoke clearly. They wanted experience and stability by retaining Pete Lewis as mayor and Lisa Connors on the school board. But they also wanted a fresh face in Dan Partridge on the City Council. And they wanted to fix aging schools by passing a capital improvement levy, a big win for the district considering the sour economy.

As of late Monday, Lewis grabbed nearly 60 percent of the vote in King County to challenger Virginia Haugen’s nearly 40 percent. The outcome was more lopsided among Pierce County voters.

We congratulate the winners. We appreciate the cooperation of campaign directors and their camps. We appreciate the voters.

And now, let’s move on. Respect and support the winners. Forget the craziness, put away the petty differences. Time to work for more progress in recession-bitten a

Pete Lewis, left, with a supporter on election night, was successful in his three-peat as mayor.

nd hard-working Auburn.

The Auburn Reporter honors veterans with a piece on a local man, Elmer Grosbier, who witnessed history – the first atomic artillery shell fired at the Nevada Proving Ground 56 years ago. “They told us we were participants of an ‘atomic exhibition,’” said Grosbier, who was a 21-year-old Army platoon sergeant at the time.

Auburn honors veterans with its award-winning program – a parade and observance – throughout Saturday. Do your part. Come out and honor yesterday’s and today’s military men and women.

The Friday Reporter also will have:

• Reporter Robert Whale updates us on the mayoral election. Incumbent Pete Lewis appears well on his way to reelection as the ballot counting continues.

• Reporter Shawn Skager takes a look at Friday night’s comedy competition at the Auburn Avenue Theater. Sixteen standup comedians will compete on stage, performing five minutes each.

The Auburn Reporter will supply election day coverage late Tuesday night.

At stake? Plenty.

The mayoral race between two-time incumbent Pete Lewis and challenger Virginia Haugen has been a study of drastically different personalities and ways of doing things. The same holds true between incumbent Gene Cerino and John Partridge in their bid for a City Council seat.

Also on the ballot is a crucial capital improvements levy for Auburn schools. The district is in desperate need of facility repairs.

Do your part, and vote.

In Friday’s edition, the Auburn Reporter will serve up a pastor who works tirelessly for the homeless,  a college that offers the sport of cricket, and more election  coverage.

The Rev. Jerry Larson continues to perform difficult work from his ministry that serves the homeless and the disadvantaged. Despite battling his own health problems and the ministry’s uncertain financial future, Larson and his wife do their part to help those who are struggling to survive. At times, their work is thankless and anonymous, yet the Larson are willing to extend a helping hand and spread God’s word.

Elsewhere, reporter Shawn Skager describes how international students are bringing the taste of home to Green River Community College through the sport of cricket. It is something new and something unique.

On the election front, reporter Robert Whale updates his story on the Oct. 15 mayoral debate and explains the school district’s crucial capital improvements levy that will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.

We encourage our readers to peruse and become more prepared before mailing in their ballots.

We also encourage letters to the editor. Those that do not make print will be published online.