Locally owned businesses are able to compete with large corporate competition by finding ways to attract business.

Both Sullivan’s Foods, 1401 S. Fourth St., and Inboden’s Meat Market, 1106 N. First St., rely on close distributors to keep their prices low.

Other business owners, like Megan Morrison, owner of Moxie, 230 E. Lincoln Highway, take a different approach.

“I work very hard to find quirky and random products that my customers would love, and that they can afford,” Morrison said.

Some locally owned businesses have also taken steps to bring in new customers.

Inboden’s Meat Market is moving toward using the Internet to attract new business.

“We do a lot of online coupons,” said owner Tom Inboden.

Morrison is taking a similar approach.

“Something new that we’re doing is a blog,” Morrison said. “People see things new on the blog and come in and say ‘I want that.'”

DeKalb resident Tracey Harris sees a vast selection in vintage clothing at Moxie.

“The quality is better than other thrift stores I’ve been to,” Harris said. “If you really want older pieces you can find them here. I really like their stuff.”

Despite the economy, local shops and restaurants are still seeing steady business.

Sullivan’s Food has seen a steady amount of business.

“I think people are just buying a little differently,” said Kathy Christensen, vice-president and co-owner of Sullivan’s Foods. “Instead of buying steak, people are buying hamburger.”

Waterman resident Beverly Fuller shops at Sullivans for the convenience.

“I find some good deals,” Fuller said. “And it’s worth not fighting the crowds at Wal-Mart.”

Morrison has seen an increase in business at Moxie.

“We think the increase is because of the price of gas,” Morrison said. “DeKalb is a vibrant retail area and I think people are realizing that.”

To help people economize, Inboden’s offers freezer bundles, which range in price for large packages of beef and pork.

Inboden’s saw an increase in bundle sales during the months of April, May and June, Inboden said.

“When people were getting their stimulus checks, people were buying a tremendous amount of bundles,” Inboden said.