Retail sales in rural areas surrounding Weyburn remain stagnant as the damaging economic effects of the farm crisis continue to be felt.
Cindy Horner, manager of C and C Groceries in Ogema, says slow sales that normally start to pick up in the spring haven't yet this year.
"Usually January and February are slow, but this year, January, February, March and April have been slow," Horner said.
"We don't have any worries about going out of business - it's not that bad - but it's definitely been slow."
While Horner hasn't cut back staff in order to cope, other retailers she knows in the area have.
"This is a farming community, and when they don't have the money, you notice it really quick."
At the Fillmore Pharmacy, manager Janet Wiggins says sales are continuing on a steady decline that has occurred over the last few years.
Although a shortage of cash in the farming community is a major factor, Wiggins said lack of support from local shoppers, who prefer to buy their goods in the city, hasn't helped the situation.
Wiggins does have worries that her 10-year-old business may have to close if the rural population continues to decrease.
Leonard Thompson, manager of L and D Thompson Electric in Midale, says sales activity has been "quiet," with about half the sales volume and servicing calls as this time last year.
He's hoping commodity prices for farmers will start to make a comeback in the same way oil prices have stared to.
"If one of those isn't making money, no one is," Thompson said. One month ago Thompson said sales were as slow as he's ever seen them in the 10 years he's been in business. However, sales had begun to pick up in April.
While sales are also down slightly at J and M Tire and Service in Radville, servicing activity has started to pick up, and balance out the lack of new sales.
"We're repairing more tires because people aren't wanting to buy new ones. They'll just keep fixing and fixing them until they can't be fixed anymore," said service technician Rick Fillion of the mainly farming clientele.
Fillion also attributes the increased service activity to spring seeding preparations.
In Yellow Grass at Neil's Variety Store, owner Neil Watson says sales have been steady through the month of April thanks to his retail postal outlet.
With farmers getting their equipment ready, Watson said sales in the automotive supply side of his business have been brusque.
Spring has also brought out the gardeners, and Watson expects sales to pick up in this area as well.
Box 400, 904 East Avenue
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Review (1987) Ltd.