Local Business Owners Face Inflation Struggles

Inflation is continuing to take a toll on Casper’s small businesses. Our Kimberly Barroteran spoke with owners as they navigate through these difficult times.

As the price of everything from food, utilities and gas continues to increase, it’s no surprise that small businesses are being affected. But how are they handling it?

Multiple brick and mortar shops are shifting their focus online as they’ve noticed a change in the way people shop and economic pressures even leading to another downtown business, shutting their doors by the end of March. Owner of Galleria of Gifts, Rob Piotter, says they can’t afford to keep their shop open.

“Kinda sad because we enjoyed working and being downtown in Casper here since 2012 and we still will be with the soda fountain and we’ll have things online, but it’s not going to be the same, you know, and it’s just a sign of the times. It’s the way things have gone. You know, I want to thank everybody that has taken and purchased from us in the past. We hope to still see you dance, soda fountain or online.”

And while other businesses don’t plan on closing soon, they are feeling the pressure too. Rockstar Music store owner Nyna Wass says she’s being extra cautious on her spending as the shop’s utilities and inventory bills increase.

“Tried to keep things as low as we can, like I did my website myself and stuff like that, just to save money. And every time we order strings or anything, they’ve gone up every time. So you have to double check your your cost in inventory because it’s gone up.”

As inflation is affecting small businesses in our own community, shopping local could make all the difference in keeping their businesses afloat.

Kimberly Barroteran, Your Wyoming Link, Casper.