A downtown business operator says shoppers simply aren’t supporting local business.

Ted Lacey has been operating the ETC Gift Studio in the capital city’s downtown for the last six years, but will be shuttering the business at the end of the year.

Lacey says once the tourism season wraps up in September, foot traffic dries up almost completely. He says people don’t want to pay for parking and even the parking garages are sitting mostly empty. Even those who do, want to park within a short walk of their destination.

Lacey says other than establishing a major attraction in the downtown that will bring in more foot traffic, he’s not sure what will draw people away from big box developments or online shopping.