The owner of a business in downtown Clinton has approached Central Huron council about the increasing number of empty stores in the downtown area.
Jessica Carnochan of Marita's Fashion Boutique says there are several stores that have closed recently in downtown Clinton, many due to retirements, but they have not re-opened and the result has been less traffic in the downtown area.
Carnochan suggests there could be programs that would help people deal with things like the amount of red tape involved in starting a business.
"Information sessions, what space is available in downtown Clinton, is that information being made aware to people who might be interested in starting a business that these retail locations are available, is there a rent subsidy that maybe could be done?" she says.
Carnochan admits retailers might have to adjust their hours of business to coincide with the times when there are more people in town, like the weekends.
She's hoping one of the things that come out of her presentation is more dialogue between merchants and their BIA, and the BIA and the municipality of Central Huron.
Jessica Carnochan, owner of Marita's Fashion Boutique (Bob Montgomery photo)