It's one of the busiest streets in Yuma, but not even prime location is enough for some businesses to survive. The economic recession has forced many popular spots like Hunter's Steak House and El Pollo Loco to call it quits. Executive Director Ken Rosevear, with the Yuma Chamber of Commerce, said, "Now is the time to market your business and be smart about who your customer is."

Rosevear said with more people losing their jobs, customers are cutting back on their spending and in the end local businesses are paying the price. Rosevear said, "It's just a ripple effect that everytime there's someone laid off, that's less spending income in the community."

While some businesses are closing their doors others are just getting started. Rosevear said this is a risky move by adding, "It's not the best time to be opening a company."

Aaron Nunez and his wife opened the Las Herraduras Restaurant two months ago. They said business has been good, but hope it will pick up. Nunez said, "Wednesdays are the slow days for us and also from two p.m. to five p.m. it's always slow."

Rosevear said, "We want every citizen and every entity and every business to spend every dollar that they can locally." And just by simply doing that, businesses like Las Herraduras could live to stay open another day. Nunez said, "All we have right now is just locals. Hopefully they'll stick with us and they'll be coming back for years and years"

Aaron and his wife said they hope their low prices and more advertising will help draw in more customers, something many local businesses are struggling to keep.