While some businesses in West Seattle suffered in the end of 2008 due to the struggling economy and drastic weather conditions, others fared well and even benefitted from the snow storm.

Several stores reported that while they expected a decline in sales this holiday season they did not see too much different in comparison to sales one year ago.

At Northwest Art and Frame the poor economy and inconvenient weather didn't affect business much at all.

"I was pleasantly surprised with how the month ended up," said Dan Reiner, owner of Northwest Art and Frame. "I thought the snow in West Seattle was going to be devastating, but we did almost exactly the same as 2007."

Reiner says shopper's spirits in West Seattle were high and that his shop had some of the longest lines they've ever had.

Curious Kidstuff reported that they did well this winter too. Employee Jeanie Powell says that the store has a very loyal clientele and doesn't expect it to wane in the current economy.

At Next to Nature, owner Adam Hayes says business remained steady in the end of 2008. Customers were not going to stop buying pet food no matter how the economy fared, and he says the snow brought a crowd of customers in looking for coats and boots for their pets.

Some coffee shops, like Coffee to a Tea with Sugar, got a lot of foot traffic as shoppers walking through the snow stopped in for warm beverages.

At Bakery Nouveau, owner William Leaman says that while his sales were down compared to last year, he didn't lose much business from local residents.

"With the weather it was tough but the neighborhood made it in," said Leaman. "In the (snow) people really supported the Junction."

But some businesses were hurt by the poor weather conditions. Husky Deli lost a lot of its catering business when events were canceled due to the snow. Still, manager Ian Nichols says that the deli's retail business didn't suffer and that those who couldn't drive out of the neighborhood created good foot traffic in the junction.

At Red Cup Espresso, where customers primarily use the shop's drive-thru, business slowed down significantly after it snowed.

"We were pretty happy with our total sales until the snow came," said owner Tricia DiBernardo.

Matt Vaughan, owner of Easy Street records, says this will be the first years he has not seen an increase in sales. As a result he may need to make staffing changes or limit the variety of items he carries in-store.

Carmilla's clothing boutique also reported a small drop in sales. In response, she says they may carry less "risky" items in the new year or make some staffing changes.

"Business overall down slightly, but nothing to be alarmed by," said manager Shana Clary. "We had a lot of traffic from West Seattleites who were basically trapped here (in the snow). People were quite jovial and surprised that we were open."