Inside the doors of a restaurant, people got their pictures taken and got a little pampering. But they also got lectured about the challenges area businesses are facing in this weak economy.
One business owner says about 20% of locally-owned businesses have closed up shop or gone into bankruptcy since 2006.
Cindy Smith, business owner, says "The sky is falling mentality and the local economy falling apart. The surest way to get the local economy to fall apart is to believe its falling apart and to stop supporting it. Continuing to support the local economy ultimately benefits all of us."
People campaigning for Fresno offices were also invited to the event to meet the business owners and to discuss the challenges to the local economy.
