It's tough economic times for many here in Eastern Carolina. Businesses across our region struggle to make payroll and pay bills.

One craven county furniture storeowner says they've been feeling the economic pinch like many small business owners across our region. David Blythe who owns branch's furniture with his brother said they opened a clearance warehouse just 2 weeks ago so that they could unload excess furniture at lower prices and meet their bottom line. Blythe says another store went out of business so it was an opportunity to make a preemptive strike against the downturn of the economy.

Branch's furniture store converted from selling just office furniture in 2003 and now sells home furniture as well. David Blythe says in the past five years, that nothing has come close to current economic downturn they've experienced.